Logos & Marks
Use of Straight, Inc. Logos and Marks
StraightSpringfield.com documents the history and impact of Straight, Inc. in Springfield, Virginia. As part of this work, certain historical logos and marks associated with Straight, Inc. appear on this site for archival and educational purposes.
What the Historical Record Shows
In 1981, Straight, Inc. filed several trademarks, including:
• “STRAIGHT”
• “STRAIGHT — A Direction for Youth”
• A related symbol/image mark
Straight, Inc. later transitioned into The Straight Foundation and eventually the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF). These marks were tied to the original organization, which no longer operates any treatment programs.
Trademark Status Today
Trademark protection in the United States depends on active commercial use. Straight, Inc. no longer exists as a treatment program, and its successor organizations do not use the original Straight branding in commerce.
As a result:
• The original Straight, Inc. marks are almost certainly abandoned as active trademarks.
• Even if any registration technically remained, non‑commercial, documentary, historical, and critical use is protected under U.S. law.
Why the Use on This Site Is Protected
StraightSpringfield.com is a survivor‑led, non‑commercial project dedicated to:
• Historical documentation
• Survivor advocacy
• Critical commentary
• Public education
The use of these marks falls under well‑established legal protections, including:
• Nominative fair use — identifying the organization being discussed
• Historical and archival use — preserving and documenting what the program looked like
• Critical commentary and educational use — protected by the First Amendment
• Transformative use — contextualizing, exposing, and critiquing the program rather than promoting it
These categories are widely recognized as legitimate uses of historical organizational marks.
What This Site Does Not Do
Potential trademark issues arise only when a logo is used in ways that cause confusion or imply endorsement. This site does not:
• Present itself as Straight, Inc.
• Sell merchandise using Straight branding
• Suggest endorsement by DFAF or any related entity
• Create confusion about who operates this website
StraightSpringfield.com is clearly a survivor‑centered, critical, and historical resource.
Best‑Practice Measures
To maintain clarity and transparency, this site:
• Uses Straight, Inc. logos only in historical or explanatory contexts
• Makes no claim of affiliation with Straight, Inc., The Straight Foundation, or DFAF
• May include a brief note such as:
“Logos reproduced for historical and documentary purposes under nominative fair use.”
Summary
The use of Straight, Inc.’s historical logos and marks on this website is lawful, appropriate, and protected. These materials are presented solely to document the program’s history and support survivors in understanding and contextualizing their experiences.