Fan Site Guidelines
Boise State University and Boise State Athletics (“Boise State”) appreciates and values its fans and their interest in and dialogue about our Athletics program. BroncoSports.com, BoiseStateFootball.com and related social media sites (“Boise State site(s)”) are the official sources of up-to-date news and information about the Boise State Broncos.
However, we recognize that fans must have other forums to discuss their favorite team and school. Therefore, if you’re looking to build a fan site, below are some guidelines to help you get started.
Help us protect the Boise State brand and the University’s intellectual property by complying with the guidelines below.
Use of Boise State Trademarks, Images and Other Indicia
Subject to the compliance guidelines here, fair use allows you to use some Boise State images and trademarks on your fansite. The most common permissible use is for comment and discussion of a Boise State athletic event. There is no hard-and-fast rule on what qualifies as fair use or the exact number of images you can use. Each fansite is viewed on a case-by-case basis by looking at your site as a whole.
Examples of uses that likely fall under fair use:
- Your fansite discusses a recent Boise State Bronco athletic event.
- You are sharing personal photographs taken by you or other fans at an athletic event for non-commercial purposes.
Examples of uses that likely do NOT fall under fair use:
- Use of any Boise State images or logos to promote or sell goods or services on your site.
- Use that is misleading to visitors as to your affiliation with Boise State.
Fan Site Logo
Please do not use any official Boise State logos for your fansite logo. Also, ensure that your fan site logo does not use any Boise State trade dress (stylized font and color scheme of the official logo). This applies to social media platforms as well.
Boise State Provided Content
From time to time, Boise State may provide you with certain images or logos. Use of this content is strictly for personal, noncommercial use only. You may not use this content in association with, or on sites that feature defamatory, pornographic, or inflammatory, or unlawful content. When using referencing content, including forum posts or blog entries, from the official Boise State online website or social media sites, please link to the Boise State source and make it clear that this is Boise State-owned content. You may not copy the content or images from the Boise State site and repost them on your site.
Prohibited Content
You may not copy the content or images from the Boise State site and repost it on your site. You should link back to the original posting from the Boise State Site. Please refrain from using Boise State trademarks and logos on your websites, social media sites, or on other items in a way that creates confusion. Boise State logos and images are available for use on non-commercial fan-sites only, and are not to be used in connection with merchandise, other commercial ventures or in a way that could create confusion as to whether your site is official. Any use of logos should be limited to those uses where it is integral to an associated story, or used for necessary context. Please do not alter the Boise State logos in any manner.
Avoid Confusion
Please clearly and directly, in a prominent place on your site, describe your site’s status as an unofficial fansite. Suggestions include the use of the word or words “fansite” or “unofficial site,” or any other designation that has been approved by [Boise State Trademark Licensing]. A typical statement might read: “Boise State Broncos fan-site. Not officially affiliated with Boise State University,” and should be visible on the home page, preferably without the reader having to scroll down. Please do not use a name that could imply an association or affiliation with Boise State, for example, Boise State News.
Domain Names
Do not use domains that closely imitate official Boise State domains. This could cause confusion for users who may assume that your fansite is affiliated with Boise State.
Legal Notices
You must include all copyright, trademark and other markings as appropriate. Please include the following notice: “Boise State, the Broncos, the Boise State logos, and all associated logos, school colors, designs and indicia are the intellectual property of Boise State University. Boise State and the Boise State and Bronco logos are the registered and unregistered trademarks of Boise State University. All rights are reserved worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Boise State University has granted permission to [insert your name or site name] to use the Marks for promotional and information purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not in any way affiliated with, [insert name or site name]. Boise State is in no way responsible for the content on or functioning of this website, nor can it be liable for any damage arising from the use of this website.
FAQs
Do I need official permission from Boise State to use its images and trademarks?
If you are in compliance with these usage guidelines, you do not need official permission to use Boise State images provided to you or its trademarks. However, keep in mind that you may not use Boise State images or trademarks for your fansite logo.
What happens if my fansite doesn’t comply with this policy?
If you follow these guidelines, we are unlikely to interfere with your fansite. However, where misunderstandings arise, we hope that you will contact us for clarification if you find yourself in a “gray area.” If Boise State becomes aware of objectionable uses on your fansite, we will contact you to try to resolve the matter directly.