WAXAHACHIE, Texas — From the official words, slogans, emblems and even the official typeface, there are some rules for anyone trying to score big during the World Cup using its brand and logo.

During this time of year, you’re going to see businesses, organizations and companies have merchandise and decorations that say “World Cup Soccer.” But can they use those words? And how about even the FIFA logo?

Richard Womack made sure the brews were bubbling inside his business. He’s the owner of Railport Brewing Company in Waxahachie, south of Dallas. And just by looking at the decor hanging in and outside of his company, it’s clear what’s on his mind and on the minds of his fellow entrepreneurs down the street.

“The World Cup that was four years ago. Each year you just watch a little more and more,” said Womack.

Among the shirts, banners and even a massive ball that Womack and his fellow business owners are repping, there are some precautions they took to make sure the decor didn’t dip into a dilemma for their businesses.

“We came up with the clever idea to not, you know, to not use FIFA World Cup, all that stuff like that, so working with the city and Laurie, we came up with the Waxahachie Giving Cup,” said Womack.

It’s a friendly competition between restaurants in the city that are representing participating World Cup countries.

The goal is to see which restaurant can raise the most money for Care Services, a local nonprofit.

But even in the branding for the competition, Womack said they had to go to the drawing board more than once.

“We learned a few things along the way; some of our images and artwork we changed several times. This right here originally said, FIFA World Cup. And then we took the FIFA off, knowing that. But we didn’t know that we couldn’t use World Cup or say World Cup in that sense,” said Womack.

FIFA does not play about its brand.

“Right, yeah, you have to have a license to do that. And I’ve looked into FIFA’s trademarks specifically. They have a slew of trademarks,” said Daphne Benford-Smith, senior counsel at Signature Law Partners PLLC.

It’s all listed in the FIFA Intellectual Property Guidelines for this year’s games, from the official emblem, word mark, slogans, host city logos and much more.

“So, if people want to use the name or the logo in an official capacity, they have to obtain a license; otherwise, they will be hit with a cease and desist,” said Benford-Smith. “Because it looks like FIFA themselves is endorsing this event or that they’re getting something from this event, when they’re not.”

But with 48 teams represented playing across three host countries, how can FIFA police that?

Spectrum News reached out to FIFA and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee for comment on how it would police its brand. We didn’t get a response.

Benford-Smith, a trademark attorney, said typically what organizations or companies of that size or magnitude will do is have a dedicated team that looks for that and that they may even use AI or some other sort of technology to scour the internet and see how people are using its brand.

Womack and his Waxahachie crew still got the message, loud and clear.

“But in a lot of the places that are decorating, you won’t find a lot of the FIFA or World Cup. So, it’s just we went with the flags,” said Womack.

Belgium and German flags adorn Womack’s brewery.

Come July 19, the world and his city will know which country came out on top.