LOCOG To Investigate Whether Middleton Family Broke Branding Rules On Website

London 2012 organizers are to "investigate claims" that the party planning company owned by Kate Middleton's family "has contravened Olympic branding rules," according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. Several items on the Party Pieces website owned by the Middleton family appear to "go against restrictions" put in place by the IOC and LOCOG to protect official sponsors. Under a section of the site titled "Celebrate the Games," there are a number of items that could "fall foul of the guidelines." The Olympic torch is used in the branding, there are paper chains in the style of the Olympic rings and a hoopla game bears "more than a passing resemblance" to the Olympic logo (GUARDIAN, 7/19). In London, Jacquelin Magnay reported that any alleged breaches of the code will be looked at "no matter who they are." Olympic sources said, "The standard practice is to issue a warning letter, but in blatant breaches or where the company refuses to co-operate we take it seriously." Kate Middelton's sister, Pippa Middleton, has a blog called the "Party Times," with one post titled "Celebrate The Games & Support the GB Team!" (TELEGRAPH, 7/19).