The Presbyterian Church in America got its name because of a trademark dispute. When the PCA was established in 1973, it originally referred to itself as the National Presbyterian Church. On October 26, 1973, it filed paperwork with the state of Delaware to be known and recognized by that name. 

However, on September 16, 1974, the second General Assembly was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia, where they voted to change the new denomination’s name to the Presbyterian Church in America. 

The original name presented a problem: A historic congregation already known as the National Presbyterian Church threatened action against the new denomination because the congregation believed its name was being misused. In order to avoid legal conflict and potential litigation, the PCA quickly and willingly changed its name. 

Unlike many mainline denominations, the PCA doesn’t own or claim any church buildings. However, it still has legal rights to certain assets like its name, logo, and intellectual property. 

Intellectual property is property. Like any property, the owner has the right and responsibility to safeguard it. 

When people try to use those assets without proper permission, the PCA has the duty to call on them to desist from doing so to protect our shared identity, just as the National Presbyterian Church did many years ago. With the advent of digital media, there are more ways to use and misuse the PCA’s name, logo, and intellectual property.

Fred Greco, the PCA’s stated clerk says, “The PCA must protect its intellectual property so our ministry’s purposes are not compromised. To safeguard our assets, copyright, trademark, and logo infringements must be consistently called out. The law requires self-enforcement if intellectual property is to be maintained. If enforcement is haphazard, the PCA loses the ability to enforce intellectual property rights when they are used for purposes hostile to the church’s mission and reputation.”

The PCA’s Copyrighted Materials 

As part of its work and ministry, the PCA creates a variety of assets that properly belong to it. Even though it may make the Book of Church Order and the minutes of every General Assembly publicly accessible, these remain the property of the PCA and are therefore protected by copyright. Using this information — including printing or sharing copies — without explicit authorization violates the PCA’s copyright protections, even when used for a local church or without charging any cost.

In the age of digital media and artificial intelligence, it has become commonplace for well-intentioned people to create apps and websites using property belonging to the PCA. The PCA has proprietary rights to the BCO, General Assembly minutes, Standing Judicial Commission rulings, and a host of other documents. Using these documents in such ways without explicit permission infringes on the PCA’s intellectual property. 

The PCA Trademark

On December 12, 1987, the name “PCA” was officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a service mark. Like any brand name, this gives the PCA the right to use the name in regard to certain services and activities. Specifically, “the Presbyterian Church in America” has the exclusive right to use the PCA® initials in matters relating to educational services, ministry services, and missionary services.

The General Assembly has approved policies for how the name may be properly used. Committees, agencies, local churches, and presbyteries may use the name PCA in connection with the name of the local church for ordinary local church activities (i.e., local advertising of the church’s worship services and other activities, ministries in the local church and its community, local church newsletters for its members, etc.). However, anyone else must receive permission to do so. When the name “PCA” is used without permission, it falls upon the Administrative Committee to take any appropriate action to remedy the infringement. This also pertains to the use of the name online. 

For example, if a website or social media account was established by an independent party and used the title or handle “PCA News,” this would represent an infringement. The name misleads people to think it is a denominational publication. 

Suppose Peace Presbyterian Church is a PCA church in the heart of an American city. They decide to let people pay to use their parking lot during the week. It would be inappropriate for them to put up a sign that advertises its lot as “PCA Parking.” However, it would be fine if the sign stated, “Peace PCA Parking.” 

The principle is to avoid implying there is denominational control or sponsorship where none exists, whether online or offline.

The PCA Logo

The PCA has its own visual identity, approved by the 44th General Assembly. Every committee, agency, presbytery, and church has the right to use the PCA’s logo in connection with its activities, but even then, there are established guidelines for using it appropriately.

First, wherever the logo is used, it must be used completely. Using the logo when it is only partially displayed is prohibited. 

Second, wherever the logo is used, it must be used as designed and not manipulated or altered in any part, including fonts and colors. It is permissible to use a black and white version of the logo.

The AC has created a guide for the appropriate use of the PCA logo where more details are provided. 

In all cases, if in doubt about your intended usage, reach out to the AC office. The AC’s goal is to come alongside and support PCA committees, agencies, presbyteries, and churches. They will be happy to work with you to make sure you are able to use the PCA’s intellectual property to your fullest ability.

In an age of deepfakes, it becomes more important than ever for the PCA to steward its name, image, and reputation. Every Christian should seek to protect their own name as well as that of others. The Westminster Larger Catechism tells us that keeping the ninth commandment requires us to promote the “good name of our neighbor, as well as our own” (Q. 144). Protecting and safeguarding the name of the PCA and its property is one way we do that as a denomination.