Oostendewapen

This image depicts a coat of arms of a Flemish municipality or province. These coats of arms have been registered with the Flemish Heraldic Council (Vlaamse Heraldische Raad) [1].

The coat of arms belongs to the public domain of a city of municipality. Using it for advertising purposes, for example as a brand, is strictly forbidden.

Article 184 of the Belgian criminal law states that abuse of or forging a coat of arms can be punished with imprisonment between three months to three years. Attempting to create a coat of arms of misuse of it, is punished with imprisonment between one month and one year.

Using the coat of arms by private persons, private institutions or associations is only allowed if the council of the municipality or city has officially given permission for this. See e.g. [2].