SMA: Media agencies free to use official logo, mascot of upcoming 21st Sukma in publications

KUCHING (July 31): Media agencies are now authorised to use the official logo and mascot of the upcoming 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma) in their publications without the need to apply for approval.

Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) issued the clarifications in a letter issued to the director of Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) today after a recent statement by the authority caused confusion and displeasure among the local media fraternity on the use of the Sukma logo and mascot.

However, SMA said the authorisation does not extend to the commercial use of these official Sukma designs by sellers on merchandise for business or trading purposes.

“Any confusion that may have arisen and inconvenience caused by this matter is deeply regretted,” said SMA.

On Tuesday, SMA issued a statement warning against unauthorised use of the official logo and mascot for the upcoming Sukma competitions as it is considered as an infringement of SMA’s intellectual property rights under the Copyright Act 1987.

SMA general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong had warned that legal actions might be taken for such infringements, after unofficial merchandise using the logo and mascot of the national games have surfaced online.