The position of the V-symbol

A. General provision

The sign «V» - a great way to mark the European Vegetarianism as advocated by the European Vegetarian Union (EVU). This requires professional support from producers, consumers and the press. The sign «V» will allow entities associated with vegetarianism, position yourself as a consumer association, becoming closer to people and acting as intermediaries for goods and services.

Two. The owner of brands

The European Vegetarian Union (abbreviated - EVU) is the owner of all rights to the common sign «V». The terms of this provision is equally applicable to all licensees and the EVU.

Three. The appearance of the sign «V»

The sign «V» is a registered trademark, no matter what size and color it was. Its form is as follows:
Accompanying the inscription of the "Recommended EVU» or similar in the relevant languages ​​are allowed.
For goods and products that do not contain substances of animal origin as defined in Article IVa, paragraph 4, may be added the words «vegan».

4. In a sign that extends «V»

The sign «V» is registered in the following European countries: Austria, Benelux, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Emblem of the «V» marked the following products, services and activities of: a) Products
Emblem of the «V» marked those products, which can consume a vegetarian.
The sign «V» can only be used for products that do not contain substances derived from the bodies of dead animals, such as meat, gelatin, leather, bone or fat extracted from the bodies of dead animals.
Eggs are used in products with the sign «V», must be from hens bred in the poultry farms are not. Should be given relevant documents.
Foods containing genetically modified ingredients, can not be marked with a «V».
If the products contain no substances of animal origin, may be added the words «vegan».
b) Services
The sign «V» can be used by organizations related to vegetarianism, such as: restaurants, hotels, hostels, cafeterias and snack bars.
The restaurant, which claims to use the trademark «V», should always provide at least one complete vegetarian menu, which is updated as often as usual. In addition to courses listed in the vegetarian menu, the restaurant must offer at least another two dishes suitable for vegetarians.
The waiters and staff should know the difference between a vegetarian, vegan menu and raw food diet, and accordingly classified drinks and dishes from the menu.
The same conditions are required for hotels, guest houses, cafeterias, snack bars, etc.
c) The activities of organizations
Authorized by the organization (as defined in Article V, paragraph 1) may use the mark «V» for its activities (company logo, printed materials, advertising, etc.).
Individual members of the EVU can use the sign «V» in agreement with the Secretariat of the Union.

Five. Authorized organizations

In addition to the EVU, EVU member organizations are authorized to use the mark «V» after signing a license agreement with EVU.
For its part, EVU member organizations sign contracts with other firms and companies producing services based on these provisions.
The right to use mark «V» can be granted to firms distributing vegetarian products, such as: food, beverages, cosmetics and toiletries, clothing and footwear, products for catering and household goods. This rule also applies to restaurants, guest houses, hotels, etc., which the menu is vegetarian.
EVU acts as a supervisory body for its member organizations.

6. Procedure

European organizations related to vegetarianism and want to use the mark «V», concluded a licensing agreement with EVU and undertake to comply with the provisions of this agreement.
Manufacturer or producer services wishing to use the mark «V», and should seek to sign an agreement with a member organization of EVU their country, and the petition for permission to use the sign «V». Proper organization of EVU member is determined by the place of registration of the firm's office is responsible for product labeling, or the location of the restaurant, hotel, etc.
A list of all ingredients and a description of the production process must be submitted to the National Member Organization EVU until the company rights to use the sign «V».
National Member Organization EVU's decision to assign a specific product mark «V». If you need to consult with the Office of EVU, responsible for the issue.
At the request of the manufacturer, a national organization of EVU, and may decide to maintain the confidentiality of information about the ingredients and the process of production.
In countries where there are member organizations of EVU, or where they do not want or can not be responsible for the sign «V», EVU reserves the right to decide at its discretion.

7. Payments

Authorized member organizations EVU (as defined in Article V, paragraph 1) charge fees to companies for use of the sign «V». 10% of the national organizations to list the payments EVU. Manufacturer's license fee or other companies based on a percentage of annual turnover of the products and can be installed on request. Recommended EVU size of payment, usually not less than 250 € (euros) plus value added tax in the year for each type of product that is marked with the sign «V». Fee for filing a petition on the use of the mark «V» is 25 € (euros). The license fee for restaurants, hotels and pensions based on a percentage of annual turnover and can be installed on request. The payment shall not be less than 75 € (euros). The internal use of the sign «V» member organizations EVU (as defined in Article IV, paragraph c) free of charge.

Eight. Control

All licensees of the mark «V» pledge to follow their own, whether all necessary conditions are satisfied for the assignment of products mark «V», or to request a special inspection agency before granting them the right to use the mark. After receiving permission to use the mark «V» National EVU member company shall inform about any change in the line corresponding to the licensee. The company itself is obliged to provide samples for a reminder.

9. Sanctions

Improper use of a pan-European character vegetarian »V» is a violation and may be the owner of the mark not only on the basis of these regulations and contracts, but also on the basis of the law on trade marks. In the event of breach of contract, the owner of the mark is entitled to terminate the contract unilaterally without prior notice to the other party. Moreover, the owner of the mark is entitled to demand the immediate elimination of violations. If the licensee (ie, a national organization with a mandate to use the mark «V») suffer damage as a result of improper use of the mark «V», he can pursue the offender on the basis of competition law, not trademark law. If a company or a restaurant use the sign «V», without permission, or is not fulfilling its obligations under the contract, they can be fined up to 5000 € (euros). As additional sanctions may be withdrawn permission to use the mark «V» for other products from the same manufacturer, even if in respect of the product breached the contract was not. If a company or a restaurant continue to use the mark «V» after the first warning from them may be charged the amount to 50 000 € (euros). Can be adopted and further legal action.

10. Support

Having signed an agreement on the sign of «V», EVU member organizations should also support the sign, for example by providing information about the products marked with «V», the media and consumers. If the product is a sign of «V» and its ingredients and manufacturing process does not change, EVU member organization may not refuse to support.

11. Promotional materials

Basic materials for the advertising sign «V» EVU available and can be developed in collaboration with a local organization, a member of the EVU. EVU ensure advertising of products bearing the mark «V», as follows: - mail, on-demand, the current list of products bearing the sign of «V» - a message for each new product is assigned a sign of «V», EVU in the news and on the Internet page EVU.