Use of endorsements and Times opinion for campaigns and candidates

Endorsements of candidates and issues by The Seattle Times Editorial Board are the property of The Times and require reasonable use of the material by campaigns and candidates for public office.The Seattle Times is copyrighted and excercises the right to decide questions about reproducing our content. Our purpose is to protect our copyright to honest attribution and to allow readers and voters to accurately understand The Times' editorial opinions.

The Seattle Times understands candidates and campaigns are often eager to use Times supportive material in their politicial material. Campaigns are welcome to use The Times' name and material within limits described here, as long as material is used accurately, and readers and voters get an honest impression of Times opinions. If a campaign uses material that casts the candidate or ballot measure in a favorable light but did not receive the endorsement of the editorial board, this must be clearly stated.

The following simple guidelines should be followed:

1. Candidates and campaigns may state simply that you have been endorsed by The Seattle Times, listing the date the endorsement appeared. We do not approve of the use of Times endorsements from previous campaigns in your current literature or advertising.

2. If you plan to use more than a simple endorsement claim, you must receive approval from The Times for the amount of reprinted material and the context. The same is true if you wish to reprint information from a previous editorial unrelated to the current campaign, or if you wish to use Times commentary about an opponent or opposing position. Approval by The Times is limited to making sure the editorial content has been used honestly.

3. We don't permit photocopying the endorsement from the printed newspaper. You must convert the material into a different typeface for both headlines and text. Do not reproduce The Times' logo or masthead.

Questions about Times policy toward reprinted material may be direct to Evelyn Edens at 206-464-2299 or eedens@seattletimes.com