Effective Date: 2026-05-13
Organizer / Brand Owner: Million Sides, Inc. d/b/a North American Electronic Sound Expo (“NAESE,” “Organizer,” “we,” “us”)
Official Site: naese.co
Contact: help@naese.co
Mailing Address: NAESE / Million Sides, Inc., 39-32 50th St., Top Floor, Woodside, NY 11377
These Trademark & Brand Use Guidelines (“Guidelines”) explain how third parties may use NAESE’s names, logos, and related brand assets. These Guidelines help avoid confusion, protect the community from impersonation/scams, and keep brand usage consistent.
These Guidelines are not a contract by themselves. A separate written agreement (e.g., Exhibitor Agreement, Sponsorship Agreement, Press Credential Terms, or a signed license) may impose additional rules. Where there is a conflict, the signed agreement controls.
1) NAESE Marks Covered
“NAESE Marks” include, without limitation:
- the names NAESE, North American Electronic Sound Expo, and any associated event names/slogans,
- NAESE logos, wordmarks, stylized marks, badges, and lockups,
- “Founding Exhibitor,” “Founding Attendee,” and similar credential/ribbon designs,
- any official graphics provided in NAESE’s brand asset kit.
All goodwill arising from use of the NAESE Marks inures to NAESE.
2) Basic Permission Model (What You May Do)
Unless you have a written agreement granting broader rights, you may use NAESE Marks only as follows:
2.1 Nominative / factual reference (generally allowed)
You may reference NAESE to describe truthful facts, such as:
- “Exhibiting at NAESE 2027”
- “Speaking at NAESE”
- “Sponsor of NAESE” (only if you are actually a sponsor)
- “Featured at North American Electronic Sound Expo (NAESE)”
This type of use must not imply endorsement or partnership beyond the truth of your relationship.
2.2 Use of official logos (allowed only with conditions)
If you are an approved exhibitor, sponsor, press outlet, speaker, performer, or vendor, you may use the official NAESE logo(s) provided to you, solely to promote your legitimate participation in the Event, subject to these Guidelines and any agreement you signed.
If you are not an approved participant, you may not use NAESE logos.
3) What You May NOT Do (Common Problems)
3.1 No confusion / no impersonation. You may not use NAESE Marks in any way that suggests you are NAESE, affiliated staff, an official organizer, or an official agent.
3.2 No endorsement claims. You may not state or imply that NAESE endorses your products/services (e.g., “NAESE-certified,” “NAESE-approved,” “official partner” unless you have a signed agreement that explicitly grants that term).
3.3 No use in names or domains. You may not use NAESE Marks in:
- your company name, product name, app name, or event name,
- domain names or subdomains,
- social media handles,
in a way that could cause confusion (e.g., “naese-badges…, “naeseofficial…”, “naeseexpo…”), unless NAESE provides written permission.
3.4 No merchandise without a license. You may not sell merchandise bearing NAESE Marks (shirts, pins, stickers, posters, etc.) without a separate written merchandise license.
3.5 No alteration of logos. Do not redraw, stretch, recolor, animate, add effects, outline, skew, or otherwise alter NAESE logos except as explicitly permitted in the brand asset kit. Do not combine the logo with your logo into a new “hybrid” mark unless NAESE provides an approved co-brand lockup.
3.6 No use on “sensitive” materials. Do not place NAESE Marks on anything involving illegal activity, hate/harassment, explicit sexual content, or other content that reasonably could harm the Event’s reputation or attendee safety.
4) Correct Usage Rules (Practical)
4.1 Use official files only. Use only the brand assets NAESE provides (preferred: SVG/PDF for print; PNG for digital).
4.2 Clear space and legibility. Maintain reasonable clear space around the logo and use it at a size where it is easily readable. Do not place on busy backgrounds that reduce legibility.
4.3 Linking. When feasible in digital contexts, link mentions of NAESE to naese.co.
4.4 Attribution line (recommended). Where appropriate (e.g., sponsor decks, press pages), include:
“NAESE and North American Electronic Sound Expo are trademarks of Million Sides, Inc.”
5) Sponsor and Exhibitor-Specific Rules
5.1 Only accurate status. Use only the status you actually hold:
- Exhibitor, Sponsor (and tier), Speaker/Panelist, Press, Performer, Volunteer/Staff.
5.2 Tier language must match your agreement. If your sponsorship agreement says “Major Sponsor,” do not describe yourself as “Presenting Sponsor.”
5.3 No benefit promises. Do not advertise benefits (e.g., discounts, early access, exclusivity) as if you can grant them on NAESE’s behalf.
5.4 Use of “Founding” designations. “Founding Exhibitor/Attendee” marks or ribbons may be used only by parties who have executed the relevant Founding agreement and only in the manner NAESE authorizes.
6) Press / Media Rules
6.1 Editorial use. Press may use NAESE Marks to identify the Event in editorial coverage consistent with standard journalistic practice.
6.2 No logo use that implies endorsement. Press may not use NAESE logos in a way that implies NAESE sponsors or endorses the outlet or its coverage.
6.3 Credential terms control. Credentialed press must comply with Press Credential Terms / Press Code of Conduct.
7) Approval Process
7.1 When approval is required. NAESE approval is required for:
- any co-branded lockup (NAESE logo + your logo),
- use of “official partner,” “presented by,” or similar endorsement-like phrases beyond your written agreement,
- any merchandise use,
- any use of NAESE Marks as part of a product name, event name, domain, or handle,
- any paid advertising where NAESE branding is prominent.
7.2 How to request approval. Send a request to brand@naese.co with:
- mockups/screenshots,
- placement context (web/print/ads/social),
- dates the usage will run,
- the exact wording you plan to use.
NAESE will respond within a reasonable time when feasible, but silence does not equal approval.
8) Enforcement and Takedown
NAESE may revoke permission to use its Marks at any time if it reasonably believes the use violates these Guidelines, is misleading, or harms the Event/community. NAESE may request removal/correction, issue takedown notices, and pursue other remedies as appropriate.
9) Reservation of Rights
All rights not expressly granted are reserved by NAESE. Nothing in these Guidelines grants you ownership in NAESE Marks.