Tops in Blue gets boost from Air Force licensing program

News > Tops in Blue gets boost from Air Force licensing program

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Tops in Blue gets boost from Air Force licensing program

Posted 1/16/2013 Updated 1/16/2013

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by Airman 1st Class Christina Kirstein
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

1/16/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -- LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- Tops in Blue, the Air Force's premier traveling entertainment troupe, was selected to receive $100,000 from the Air Force's Trademark and Licensing Office.

The Trademark and Licensing Office, which operates with the Air Force Public Affairs Agency here, processes requests from around the world by entities interested in using the Air Force symbol and other intellectual properties.

"Since 2005, we have processed thousands of requests from a wide spectrum of customers: Air Force units wanting to use the symbol on coins and briefing slides; non-profit organizations requesting to use Air Force trademarks during patriotic celebrations; and our biggest customer subset, business owners interested in placing our Air Force brand on products like clothing, furniture and game controllers," said April Rowden, the Air Force Trademark and Licensing chief.

"Our Air Force brand is strong at home and abroad and this is confirmed daily through the sheer volume of requests we receive," Rowden said.

In 2004, U.S. law authorized military branches to identify their trademarks, license them to qualified companies and collect fees for their use.

"Through the licensing authority granted in 10 USC 2260, the Air Force is able to collect royalties for the public's use of its trademarks. These proceeds cover our operating costs. Any remaining funds we allocate to the Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Services to help morale, welfare and recreation programs," Rowden said.

Recently, the Services Directorate identified Tops in Blue as the benefiting activity.

According to Jerrilynn White, Tops in Blue production director, Airmen were thrilled when they found out they were receiving the money and immediately started brainstorming ideas for special items not in their budget.

Top items on the wish listed included speaker stands to accommodate different venues, a recruiting video to solicit talent and a new backdrop.

"We had a new U.S. flag backdrop 10 years ago, but we've used it so much it's fallen apart," White said. "It helps create a mood for the audience during our patriotic set, especially when we're overseas. It invokes a pride in people that's amazing."

In addition to the money presented to Tops in Blue, another $125,000 was provided to the Services Directorate in August.

Since the first royalty checks were collected in 2006, the Air Force Trademark and Licensing program has collected more than $1 million in royalties.

Consumers are encouraged to look for the "Officially Licensed Product of the United States Air Force" identifier on Air Force-branded products when shopping. Buying officially licensed products helps support Airmen and their families.

For more information on trademark and licensing, visit www.trademark.af.mil

Comments

1/19/2013 7:14:10 PM ET
Go to the I.G. I did and will again until this is stopped.

I.G., I.G.

1/19/2013 5:57:40 PM ET
I went to the I.G.

I.G., I.G. Land

1/18/2013 11:31:58 AM ET
Always nice to see money get wasted on thing not needed. I'm sure Airmen on the flightline could of used that money for could weather gear that they never seem to get issued to them.

CEO, Holloman

1/18/2013 2:06:12 AM ET
Keep in mind that the Trademark and Licensing office was created specifically to support programs like TIB. This is not money that could be allocated in other places. That being said TIB came to Incirlik last fall and was well-received by the base population including some of the Turkish Air Force. Morale booster AND international relations sounds like a good use of AF dollars.

Gee Buttersnaps, Turkey

1/17/2013 7:52:48 PM ET
@Drew. I offered a solution. Give the money to the USO. Close TIB. Save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by returning TIB members to their units. TIB does not bring in thousands of Airmen per year. The AF has had no trouble meeting their recruiting goals for years and it is not because of TIB.

Caveman, Bedrock

1/17/2013 2:28:52 PM ET
I'm willing to bet multiple comments on this article are from a single person judging by comments from other articles namely Jerry from Oklahoma who have nothing to offer but complaints rather than solutions.If you have any ideas or suggestions please offer it. As the face of the Air Force's recruiting and morale efforts the Air Force's entertainment organizations such as the Thunderbirds TiB and Bands bring in thousands of Airmen into the service each year. If you're an Airman I can almost guarantee that you or someone you know came into the USAF with some type of inspiration from one of these programs as I did. And judging by the caliber of today's force and our innovative and devoted Airmen I'd say it's money well spent. What say you

Drew, Beale AFB

1/17/2013 10:16:33 AM ET
TIB is supposed to be a morale boosting organization for the Airmen. In the age of the Air Force getting cut to the bone and everyone forced to do more with much less TIB has become a morale killer. They see these people up on stage and wonder how much money the Air Force is putting into these shows that could go to pay for war fighting material and training. I don't expect a change because Leadership loves to attend these things and couldn't care less about the real impact on morale.

Active Duty, Oklahoma

1/17/2013 9:04:24 AM ET
We have been directed by the Department of Defense to slash everything that is not mission critical or directly supports the war fighter. That means cutting flying hours to the bone among other things. So please tell me how no matter how good and enjoyable these performances are that they are mission critical. Send them back to their units to perform a war time mission.

Jerry, Any AFB

1/17/2013 6:08:39 AM ET
Regardless of where the funding of their shows come from those military members are still receiving military pay and allowances from Uncle Sam. Can we not utilize our force in a more effective manner

Tony, Keesler

1/16/2013 5:09:24 PM ET
I swear AF.mil is trying to troll us. @Toby what remote locations are you talking about I've been stationed at a few and only knew of a few times Tops ever came to those bases. I attended once and left shaking my head. TIB needs to go.

Jazz , Hands

1/16/2013 3:14:57 PM ET
Tops is a great family attraction esp. at remote sites that allows installations to showcase their services at the venue and leaders to convey important messages in a less formal setting. Tops is on a shoe string budget and after ten years receive funds from a revenue producing source vice a congressional authorization-good on them

toby, usa

1/16/2013 1:40:47 PM ET
Should have been given to the USO to pay for real entertainment for the troops.

Caveman, Bedrock

1/16/2013 11:16:32 AM ET
Why in the world are TIB still around In an age of doing more with less they seriously need to go.

JD, KALI

1/16/2013 9:55:45 AM ET
Seriously TIB is the best organization to get a 100k handout

Stuart, Planet Earth

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