Card Briefs: Visa, City of Sydney Settle Slogan Dispute

Visa International and the city of Sydney have settled their legal dispute over the card association's use of the advertising slogan "Sydney prefers Visa."

Visa had been using the slogan to highlight its sponsorship of the 2000 Olympic Games. Visa had signed agreements with two Sydney-based tourism organizations, which were going to help promote the slogan.

But Sydney's mayor and city council objected, saying the advertisements made it look as if the government endorsed Visa. American Express Co., one of Visa's chief rivals, is a major employer in the city.

Under a settlement reached by Sydney and Visa, the Olympics campaign will now use the slogan "Visa-The Preferred Card in Sydney."

Sydney city officials said they found the revised slogan acceptable, and have withdrawn the lawsuit against Visa that they filed in late November.

"Whilst the Council is supportive of Visa's efforts to promote Sydney and Australia, we remain mindful of our obligations to protect the Sydney name from over-commercialization," said Frank Sartor, lord mayor of Sydney.

"What is important is that the campaign does not imply that Sydney or the Council has an official preference for one brand or product over another."

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