Trademark Guidelines

Effective May 27, 2025 · Subject to change

Unless stated otherwise in these Trademark Guidelines, all use of the TBF Marks (defined below) requires advance written approval from The Basketball Festival, LLC ("TBF," "we," "us," or "our"). To request approval, contact us at [legal@thebasketballfestival.com] and provide as many details as possible so we can understand the context of your request. If you are already working with TBF, please contact your TBF representative directly to expedite the process.

These Trademark Guidelines are intended to help you understand how to use the TBF Marks in a way that maintains our protection of the marks while allowing you to promote your involvement with our events, programming, and media. Any examples provided here are non-exhaustive, and your agreement with TBF (if you have one) controls your ability to use the TBF Marks.

Please be aware that use of terms that are variations of or derived from the TBF Marks (e.g., "HoopBoree Fest," "The Basketball Fest," "Get Seen [Name]," "Live Hoops [City]," "Everything Hoops") (collectively, the "Variation Marks") is strictly prohibited.

Keep in mind that unauthorized use of the TBF Marks or Variation Marks likely constitutes trademark and/or copyright infringement. All use of the TBF Marks, including any associated goodwill, inures to the exclusive benefit of TBF.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Background & the TBF Marks

The Basketball Festival, LLC produces basketball events, showcases, competitions, media, and programming built around the game and the culture that surrounds it. The TBF Marks identify the source of these goods and services and represent the goodwill we have built with our audience, athletes, partners, and communities.

For the purposes of these guidelines, the "TBF Marks" include:

- word marks that contain only text (for example, HOOPBOREE and THE BASKETBALL FESTIVAL) (collectively, the "TBF Word Marks");
- any logos, designs, and stylized versions of the marks (the "TBF Logos"); and
- Variation Marks.

TBF maintains federal, state, and/or common-law trademark protection in and to the TBF Marks. Certain marks are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and others are the subject of pending applications and/or common-law rights.

List of TBF Marks

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the TBF Marks. The absence of any trademark, name, logo, slogan, or other designation from this list does not constitute a waiver of TBF's intellectual property or trademark rights in it. Do not use these marks without appropriate permission from TBF.

REGISTERED WITH THE USPTO (use the ® symbol)

- HOOPBOREE®
- GETSEEN®
- BET ON YOUR GAME®

APPLICATIONS PENDING / COMMON-LAW (use the ™ symbol)

- THE BASKETBALL FESTIVAL™
- THE BASKETBALL SUMMIT™
- WHERE HOOPS MEETS CULTURE™
- HOOPS XYZ™
- EVERYTHING BASKETBALL™
- MIDMAJOR SHOWCASE™
- LIVEHOOPSTV™
- STATE OF THE GAME™

2. PROHIBITED USES

(1) Unapproved events

Using the TBF Marks, or any confusingly similar variations, in connection with the promotion or operation of an event that TBF has not approved or sanctioned is strictly prohibited. If your event is not approved or sanctioned by TBF, do not suggest an association with us.

(2) Disparaging uses or violating laws

Use of the TBF Marks in a disparaging manner, or in any way that violates any law or regulation, is strictly prohibited.

(3) Variation Marks

Use of terms that are variations of or derived from the TBF Marks (for example, "HoopBoree Fest," "Get Seen [Name]," "Live Hoops [City]") is strictly prohibited.

(4) Wrongful assertions of ownership

Any display of the TBF Marks that suggests or implies that you own or control the marks is strictly prohibited.

(5) Unauthorized use

Any use of the TBF Marks not explicitly authorized by TBF is prohibited.

3. USES THAT REQUIRE A LICENSE

Below are common ways you may wish to use the TBF Marks, all of which require a license. You may request one by contacting [legal@thebasketballfestival.com]. If you are already working with TBF, contact your TBF representative directly. TBF reserves the right to approve or deny any license request in its sole discretion.

(1) Content that suggests TBF approval

We want you to write about our events. But if your content suggests that TBF has approved, endorsed, or produced your content, you must request a trademark license before distributing it.

No license needed: "A Review of the Games at The Basketball Festival"

License required: "The Basketball Festival's Official List of Top Performances"

(2) Commercial use

Any non-editorial use of the TBF Marks in connection with promoting the products or services of a person or entity other than TBF ("Commercial Use") is prohibited without advance written approval. Examples include use of the marks alongside promotions for other products or services, on flyers or signage promoting other products or services, or in connection with content behind a paywall or subscription.

(3) Merchandise

You may not use the TBF Marks on apparel, posters, collectibles, or other merchandise without a written license agreement from TBF.

(4) Contests & giveaways

You may not use the TBF Marks in connection with any raffle, giveaway, auction, contest, sweepstakes, competition, or similar activity without written permission — for example, calling for entrants to "enter to win two (2) passes to HOOPBOREE," or including TBF credentials in an auction.

(5) Social media & the internet

Use of the TBF Marks on social media or elsewhere on the internet requires a license. The TBF Marks may not be used in any web URL without our prior written approval, and any Commercial Use of the TBF Marks in a hashtag requires a license — for example, #[Brand]Hoopboree or www.[Name]BasketballFestival.com.

4. HOW TO REQUEST A LICENSE

To request a trademark license, contact us at legal@thebasketballfestival.com and provide as many details as possible. If you are already working with TBF, contact your representative directly.

Upon receiving a license, carefully review its terms and ensure your planned uses fall within the authorized scope. While we work to respond promptly, requests received close to an event may be delayed.

5. HOW LICENSED MARKS SHOULD BE DISPLAYED

(1) Request approval

All proposed displays of the TBF Marks must be submitted to TBF for prior approval, which may be granted in writing by a TBF representative.

(2) Include the correct trademark notice

Use the appropriate symbol the first — or most prominent — time a mark appears in your materials. Use the registration symbol ® only with marks that are federally registered, and the ™ symbol with unregistered marks. Refer to the list of TBF Marks above to determine which symbol applies.

Except where character limits apply (such as social media), include an attribution of TBF's ownership in the credits of your approved material:

"HOOPBOREE® is a registered trademark of The Basketball Festival, LLC, used under license."

"THE BASKETBALL FESTIVAL™ is a trademark of The Basketball Festival, LLC, used under license."

(3) Comply with the logo guidelines

If your license covers a TBF Logo, request the high-resolution artwork and corresponding logo guidelines, and follow them exactly.

(4) No modification of the marks

The TBF Marks must be displayed exactly as written (for word marks) or depicted (for logos). Any modification or alteration — including combining any part of a TBF Mark with your name, another trademark, or other terms for hashtags, URLs, advertisements, or any other use — must be explicitly licensed by TBF in advance, which approval may be withheld in our sole discretion. If we grant permission for a modified or variation mark, it will be owned by TBF and may be used only under a written license.

(5) No implied partnership

The TBF Marks may not be displayed in any manner that implies partnership, sponsorship, or endorsement of you or a third party (or of any products or services) without TBF's advance written approval.

6. EDITORIAL USE

We encourage you to discuss our events in editorial content, and we enjoy hearing about your experiences. Editorial content includes reviews, news reporting, and commentary that expresses opinions about, or provides objective reporting on, TBF and our events. Such content is generally acceptable without a license.

Be aware, however, that editorial content suggesting TBF endorsement — and any Commercial Use — requires a license, and TBF reserves the right to request removal of non-compliant content. If you wish to use a TBF Logo in editorial content, please contact legal@thebasketballfestival.com with details of your intended use.

7. IF YOU CAN'T USE THE MARKS

Remember that use of Variation Marks is strictly prohibited. If you don't qualify for a license, you may still describe your activity in plain, generic terms that don't reference or imply an association with TBF.

Correct:

- "Join us for a local basketball showcase in [City]."
- "An independent hoops event — not affiliated with The Basketball Festival."

Incorrect:

- "Attend my unofficial HOOPBOREE event."
- "Come to my event at The Basketball Festival."

8. USAGE BY RELATIONSHIP

Your official agreement with TBF (if you have one) controls how you may use the TBF Marks. The summaries below are a general overview.

I'm an official participant — athlete, team, coach, presenter, or vendor:
- Refer to your existing contract with TBF for permitted uses. You are generally permitted (and encouraged) to use the TBF Word Marks to promote your participation on social media and in promotional materials, consistent with your agreement. Use of any TBF Logo requires prior approval and the official logo assets. For any use outside your agreement, contact your TBF representative.
I'm a representative of a participant — agent, manager, or brand partner:
- Refer to the participant's contract with TBF for permitted uses. You may promote their participation using the TBF Word Marks consistent with that agreement. Logo use and any use beyond the agreement require TBF's prior approval.
I'm an attendee sharing my experience:
- You are welcome to use the TBF Word Marks and our official hashtags to share your experience on social media for non-commercial purposes. Please don't alter the marks or imply that TBF endorses you or your content.
I'm press or media:
- Editorial coverage — reviews, reporting, and commentary — is generally welcome without a license. Use of the TBF Logos, or any use implying TBF endorsement, requires prior approval. Contact legal@thebasketballfestival.com for media assets and approvals.
I'm running an event that isn't affiliated with TBF:
- Use of the TBF Marks to promote unaffiliated events is not permitted. Describe your event in generic terms and, where appropriate, make clear that it is not affiliated with The Basketball Festival. Use of Variation Marks is strictly prohibited.
I'm a designer, advertiser, or merchandiser
- If you're working with TBF officially, refer to your contract and your TBF representative. Otherwise, use of the TBF Marks in designs, merchandise, or advertising requires a license — contact legal@thebasketballfestival.com before you begin.

CONTACT & RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

If you have questions about these Trademark Guidelines or use of the TBF Marks, contact us at legal@thebasketballfestival.com.

TBF reserves the right to modify or change the terms of these guidelines at any time in its sole discretion.

© 2025 The Basketball Festival, LLC. HOOPBOREE®, GETSEEN®, and BET ON YOUR GAME® are registered trademarks of The Basketball Festival, LLC. THE BASKETBALL FESTIVAL™, THE BASKETBALL SUMMIT™, WHERE HOOPS MEETS CULTURE™, HOOPS XYZ™, EVERYTHING BASKETBALL™, MIDMAJOR SHOWCASE™, LIVEHOOPSTV™, and STATE OF THE GAME™ are trademarks of The Basketball Festival, LLC. Any unauthorized use of these marks, or variations of them, is a violation of state, federal, and international trademark laws.