'These are protected': Sydney club forced to make major change after logo triggered row with Olympic Games

Sydney Olympic FC could be forced to go back to the drawing board with their three-day-old logo amid concerns it is in violation of "official Olympic properties".

The former National Soccer League club unveiled their new logo ahead of their first Australian Championship game on Sunday, with players donning new kits for the match.

The emblem featured the letter S and a torch, with two stars above representing their national titles while a small version of the Olympic rings sat below the club's name.

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It is not the first time the Olympic rings have been on the club's crest, as it used to be a staple part of their logo for 20 years in the National Soccer League.

But the logo has since simply been a football with the foundation year in the middle.

Concern has now emerged that Sydney Olympic did not seek permission from the Australian Olympic Committee, the legal rightsholders of the Olympic brand in Australia, to use the rings in their new emblem.

The use of the word Olympic in the club's name does not require the same permissions as the display of the rings or torch as Sydney Olympic had formed prior to legislation around the use of the Olympic brand was implemented in 1987.

However, the team must continue to not emphasis the use of the term 'Olympic' or endorse the AOC, Australian Olympic team or the IOC during their daily operation.

The Olympic Insignia Protection Act 1987 cites that any marks that "resemble the Olympic motto, symbols or words" cannot be used without formal licensing.

"These are protected Olympic IP reserved exclusively for official Olympic sponsors and licensees, a statement from an AOC spokesperson said.

"Sydney Olympic FC did not approach the AOC about this logo specifically, but we will give them a call and talk through Olympic IP permissions, requesting them to remove the rings and torch given they are protected Olympic properties."

Sydney Olympic have since published a revised logo on social media without the rings. It is unclear if it will be required that the torch is also removed.

No statement about the matter has been made by the Greek-backed club.

The flames of the torch also resemble the sails of the Opera House, which could see an additional trademark battle emerge for Sydney Olympic.

The Sydney Kings faced a similar issue with the Opera House legal team in 2020, with the NBL failing to come to an agreement to incorporate the landmark into the logo. But the Kings were later approved to use an outline of the Opera House.

Sydney Olympic will return to the pitch in the Australian Championship on Sunday, where they will face Moreton City Excelsior FC.