Heraldry in Norway 

Unlike in the heraldic juristictions of – for example- the countries of the United Kingdom, Norway has no official regulation of private arms. Any person is free to assume a coat of arms as he sees fit and to use it in any way not otherwise contrary to the law (for example by being misleading or obscene). The following articles illustrate the legal position of arms in Norway –both public and private- and some features which characterize norwegian heraldry in the past and in the present.

John McGowan

“Public authorities these days make widespread use of coats of arms on badges, signs,uniforms, coins, banknotes, stamps, letterheads, and in advertising. In such use the authorities distictive marks are protected by law against misuse- particularly under the penal code paragraph 328, banning their registration as trade marks, and by international treaty

Where private ams are used in trade, or for other commercial purposes, and in design, some degree of legal protection can be obtained- partly through registration with the Patent Office, and partly by custom. Clubs, societies and such organisations´ private arms – for exampe sports clubs badges- are probably protected, at least where use can be demonstrated to be long established.

It is doubtfull however whether purely personal or family arms would enjoy legal protection in Norway, were this ever to come before a judge. Most Norwegian heraldists say that in principle, an old established family coat of arms may be inherited along with the familly name. Name alone however, without true descent, is not regarded as sufficient cause to assume another person´s  or familly´s arms. Those interested in heraldry preferably create their own, new coats of arms.

Personal and family arms these days are mostly for strictly private use, and are seldom seen in public. Such arms therefore have not been held to require the protection of the courts. However the now rapidly increasing use of personal arms on the internet might change this situation and result in a need for legal protection against misuse.”

Hans Cappelan 2006
Mod. 2009-10-15 

Translated from http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A5pen_(heraldikk)

Norwegian heraldry  (link)

(Condensed from an original article which appeared the journal “Heraldry in Canada”, March 1995, Vol. XXIX, No. 1, p. 4-11, June 1995, VOL. XXIX, No. 2, p. 4-11     

By HARALD NISSEN

The Principles of Recent Public Heraldry in Norway (link)

(condensed and adapted from
“Norwegian Simplicity. The principles of recent public heraldry in Norway,’ The Coat of Arms (vol. VII, No. 138) 1988)
By HANS CAPPELEN