Motion and still media files, hereafter referred to as Visual Information (VI), are provided as a public service consistent with the Department of War’s Principles of Information, which may be found at https://www.war.gov/Resources/Principles-of-Information/.
No Representations or Warranties. DoW makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the suitability of using DoW VI for non-DoW purposes. Use of DoW VI is at the user's sole risk.
Publicity and Privacy Rights. VI postings by the DoW do not waive any publicity or privacy rights of any individuals portrayed.
Intellectual Property Restrictions. Military Department and other DoW component names, insignia, seals, symbols and similar marks may be protected as trademarks or service marks and may not be used in commerce without prior written permission. DoW Component Trademark Licensing Office contacts may be found at https://www.war.gov/Resources/Branding-and-Trademarks/
In general, DoW VI that are works of authorship prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States.
However, some VI available on this publicly accessible website may be subject to copyright or other intellectual property rights owned by non-DoW parties, regardless of whether the VI is marked with a copyright notice or other indication of non-DoW ownership or interests.
Any use of this DoW VI other than as expressly authorized in this notice may subject the user to legal liability, including liability to such non-DoW owners of intellectual property or other protectable legal interests.
Non-Endorsement Requirements and Disclaimer. DoW VI may not be used in a manner that could imply endorsement of an individual, for-profit business, nonprofit organization, any other non-federal entity (including DoW contractors), product, or service, or any political party or candidate for partisan political office. This applies to both domestic and international users. Endorsement of a non-federal entity, event, product, service, or enterprise may be neither stated nor implied. All users of DoW VI must display this non-DoW endorsement disclaimer except that commercial items are not required to use the full disclaimer when it is impracticable:
"The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement."
Commercial Use Defined: Use of VI by any individual or entity for advertisements, marketing, promotion, solicitation, or fundraising purposes regardless of whether the user is a for-profit business, business industry organization, or non-profit organization, including an educational institution. Commercial users are also requested to obscure all distinctive U.S. military markings (e.g., tail or hull number, unit insignia, Service name) and other indicia that could connote DoW endorsement from DoW aircraft, missiles, ships, and other hardware or uniforms that may be used in any marketing or advertising campaign, including any collateral products.
Commercial Use Authorized. To the maximum extent practicable, all commercial uses are required to display the non-DoW endorsement disclaimer above. Commercial users are also requested to obscure all distinctive U.S. military markings (e.g., tail or hull number, unit insignia, Service name) and other indicia that could connote DoW endorsement from DoW aircraft, missiles, ships, and other hardware or uniforms that may be used in any marketing or advertising campaign, to include any collateral products.
Non-Commercial Use Authorized. Except in cases where productions are authorized for DoW assistance, DoW VI may be distributed, copied, and used, for non-commercial, personal use, as well as historical and newsworthy purposes or activities. Display of the non-DoW endorsement disclaimer is requested.
Productions Authorized for DoW Assistance. VI obtained for use in a third-party production (e.g., motion picture, documentary, television, or video production) for which the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs has authorized production assistance is governed under separate authority and project-specific terms, pursuant to DoD Instruction 5410.16, and will not be considered to be either commercial use or non-commercial use.
Source: Pages 45-47 of DoD Instruction 5410.19 Volume 1, “Community Outreach Activities: Policy Overview and Evaluation,” September 29, 2021, as amended. Hyperlinks to the DoW’s Principles of Information and the DoW Component Trademark Licensing Office were updated September 15, 2025.
