State issues order to stop license plate marketing

Oct. 21, 2016
ODOT News Release No. 16-109
News media contact: David House, 503-945-5270 or david.j.house@odot.state.or.us

State issues order to stop license plate marketing

Application to launch ‘Keep Portland Weird’ plate not filed with DMV

Oregon Department of Justice has issued a cease-and-desist order to the organizer of an online fundraising campaign to launch a new vehicle license plate.
The campaign for a proposed “Keep Portland Weird” plate was launched last week on Kickstarter.com, but the organizer has not complied with state law by applying for a new plate with DMV. DMV provided the organizer with information on Oregon requirements to launch a new plate months ago.
The launch of a new license plate must follow a prescribed process, so DMV and DOJ issued a cease-and-desist order for the fundraising campaign until the plate has been approved for production.
“Our main concern at this point is that potential backers may assume the application has been filed by a qualified non-profit organization, and that the plate design has been approved for production if the organizer meets his funding goal,” DMV Administrator Tom McClellan said. “For a successful launch of a new plate, an applicant must qualify and follow the process set forth in Oregon law. We think it may be misleading to potential backers to launch a fundraising campaign before fulfilling the application requirements.”
Oregon statutes and rules require the sponsor of a new special plate to meet the following requirements before selling vouchers through any marketing effort, including an online Kickstarter campaign:

* The organization must qualify as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and comply with  pre-approval process steps before submitting an Application for Approval of a Special Registration Plate. This application form is included in DMV’s Oregon Special Registration Plates Application Guide. DMV has not received an application from East Peak, LLC or any other organization to apply for a “Keep Portland Weird” plate.
* A nonprofit organization must provide supporting documentation, including: written documentation that the group is registered with the Internal Revenue Service, articles of incorporation, IRS tax identification number for the 501(c)(3) non-profit, and proof the organization is physically located in Oregon.
* Organization must submit a $5,000 pre-approval fee to cover DMV’s costs to review the application and requested plate design.
* Application clearly states that the pre-sale of 3,000 plates may begin only after initial approval of the plate design.
* Application clearly states the design is subject to DMV approval, which in part includes DMV coordinating with law enforcement and the plate manufacturer for approval. The “Keep Portland Weird” plate design included on the Kickstarter page and shown in the news story has not been submitted for approval to DMV.

The Oregon Special Registration Plates Application Guide (DMV form 735-7410) is available on DMV’s website and has been provided to the organizer: http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/7410.pdf

Any time you need to visit an Oregon DMV office in person, DMV suggests that you visit OregonDMV.com to make sure you have everything you need. If you just need to renew your vehicle registration, you can do that online at OregonDMV.com for passenger vehicles and a few other types of vehicles, such as travel trailers.

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