BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 529 By: Wentworth (Siebert) 4-25-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is not a government-funded organization. Protection of the USOC's trademarks under federal law is an asset which the USOC uses to raise funds. Trademark protection at the state level will aid in the USOC's ability to fund America's Olympic athletes. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 529 prohibits a person from using any sign or symbol relating to the Olympics with intent to gain financially from the act without the consent from the U.S. Olympic Committee. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 16C, Business & Commerce Code, by adding Section 16.30, as follows: Section 16.30. OLYMPIC SYMBOLS. (a) Prohibits a person from using certain symbols, emblems, trademarks or trade names, or the words "Olympic," "Olympiad," "Citius Altius Fortius," or any combination without the permission of the U.S. Olympic Committee, for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of goods or services, or to promote a theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or competition. (b) Provides that upon violation of Subsection (a), the U.S. Olympic Committee is entitled to the remedies available to a registrant on infringement of a mark registered under this chapter. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION The Business and Industry Committee considered S.B. 529 in a public hearing on April 25, 1995. No public testimony was taken. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 7 (seven) ayes, 0 (zero) nays, 0 (zero) present-not-voting, 2 (two) absent.