KUCHING: Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman has made it clear that he does not see the need for the media organisations to seek permission to use the logo and mascot of Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024 from the registered owner Sarawak Multimedia Authority.
He said his ministry loves to have the media use the logo and mascot in their coverage of Sukan Malaysia.
"However, the infringement ruling on the unauthorised use of the logo and mascot applies to those who want to come up with merchandise products such as mugs, t-shirts and so on," he told reporters here.
He was asked to respond to SMA's statement issued this afternoon that the media organisations need not apply for permission to use the logo and mascot in their publication on Sukma XXI.
Last night, SMA issued a statement asking the media organisations to write in a letter to seek permission from the authority to use the logo and mascot in their publication on the coverage of Sukma events.
After much criticism from the local organisations, SMA decided not to ask them to seek its permission.
Karim said when the media organisations put the logo and mascot, they are actually promoting Sukma XXI in Sarawak.
"So, I don't see the need for the media to seek permission because the media organisations are already registered entities," he said.
"As such, you are free to use the logo and mascot in your publication on the coverage of Sukma XXI," he said.
Karim said the warning by SMA against unauthorised use of its logo and mascot is nothing new, saying that the organisers of any event normally have the copyrights on their logo and mascot.
He said such logos and mascots cannot be printed or be used to promote merchandise items by other parties.
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