Legal:Trademark guidelines - Fedora Project Wiki (original) (raw)

This page contains the official guidelines for use of the Fedora Trademarks.

Use by Red Hat

Fedora®, the Fedora word design, the Infinity design logo, Fedora Remix, and the Fedora Remix word design, either separately or in combination, are hereinafter referred to as "Fedora Trademarks" and are trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. Except as provided in these guidelines, you may not use the Fedora Trademarks or any confusingly similar mark as a trademark for your product, or use the Fedora Trademarks in any other manner that might cause confusion in the marketplace, including but not limited to in advertising, on auction sites, or on software or hardware. Red Hat protects the Fedora Trademarks on behalf of the entire Fedora community. Indeed, the law obligates trademark owners to police their marks and prevent the use of confusingly similar names by third parties. As the trademark owner, Red Hat strives to use the Fedora Trademarks under the same guidelines as the rest of the community.

Use by the Fedora Council

Red Hat enlists the assistance of the Fedora Council (hereinafter "Council") to oversee the trademark guidelines to ensure compliance by the community. The Council may grant permission for uses as explained below. The Council serves as the first line of mediation when questions of use arise.

Secondary Mark

"Fedora Remix," whether in words or design (hereinafter "Secondary Mark") is one of the Fedora Trademarks, but with a special significance. The Secondary Mark provides downstream distributors a means to indicate their work includes or is derived from Fedora content, and thereby drive more interest in the Fedora Project itself.

The Secondary Mark must be expressed as "Fedora Remix". Guidelines for use of the Secondary Mark are laid out below in the sections where its use is permitted or appropriate. Guidelines for presentation of the Secondary Mark are located at this page.

Use of the word "Fedora" in connection with the Secondary Mark must clearly indicate that the work contains modified Fedora content or non-Fedora content. The notice may not contain phrases such as:

The modified Fedora content should be referred to only as "Fedora Remix." Other uses that do not properly indicate the work contains modified Fedora content or non-Fedora content are also not permitted.

Using the Secondary Mark also requires a statement in print or in another prominent location stating that end users are receiving modified Fedora software, and informing them where they can get unmodified Fedora software.

Fedora Media

The Fedora Project distributes software in various formats, including a format which is designed to be reproduced on physical media by the recipient. Hereinafter, Fedora software provided by the Fedora Project in such formats and unmodified reproductions thereof in any form are collectively referred to as "Fedora Media." Examples of Fedora Media include but are not limited to:

Usage That Does Not Require Permission

Below are some guidelines for use of the Fedora Trademarks where, as long as you are in compliance with the guidelines, no permission is necessary. In all cases, use is permitted only provided that:

Community sites and accounts

Fedora defines community sites and accounts as pages related to the Fedora Project, but not officially maintained by Marketing team members or Social Media administrators. Often, these groups are specific to a region or country. These pages are usually run by an individual contributor or a group of contributors. These sites are non-commercial in nature (they are not selling a product).

Examples of these pages include (but are not limited to):

While these online community sites and accounts are not officially endorsed by the Fedora Project or Red Hat, because they are part of the Fedora Community (and use the Fedora trademarks to identify themselves), their site owners, moderators, administrators, and users are required to comply with the Fedora Code of Conduct. Community sites and accounts which are unable to meet this standard of conduct will be required to cease use of the Fedora trademarks, and will be not be promoted/advertised by Fedora. Our intent is for all Fedora community members to have a positive and welcoming experience in all community spaces, official and unofficial.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks on community sites and accounts to show your support for the Fedora Project, provided that:

Business web sites

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to show support for Fedora by:

The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks on business web sites, provided that:

Provided these guidelines are observed, it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to sell Fedora Media, and to advertise services for Fedora-based systems (installation, configuration, troubleshooting, etc.)

Business cards

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks on business cards identifying the community member as a Fedora Ambassador. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission on business cards to identify one's affiliation with the Fedora Project, provided the Fedora Ambassador Business card template located at this URL is used. This is the only business card use permitted; community members may not use any Fedora Trademarks or refer to the Fedora Project on any work-related business cards. Use of business contact information on the template is also frowned upon.

Promotional events

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to promote free and open source software events such as a Linux installfest or community free software trade show. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission to promote free and open source software events where individuals in the Fedora Project appear as Fedora Ambassadors, distribute Fedora Media, or otherwise represent the Fedora Project, provided the general guidelines above are followed. If you would like to make some non-software goods to give away at the event and don't already have a license to do so, see Non-software goods.

Publications

It is permissible to use the Fedora trademarks in the title and content of a publication, provided that:

Application themes, skins, and personas

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to show support for Fedora by placing the Fedora Trademarks in a theme, persona, or skin intended to alter the appearance of an application. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

These guidelines do not apply to the appearance of a web site, which is covered elsewhere in this document.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks in themes, personas, or skins for applications to show your support for the Fedora Project, provided that:

If you wish to use any existing Fedora designs other than the Fedora Trademarks for your work, please observe the licensing requirements for those materials. If you have questions about these requirements for any particular design, contact the Fedora Design Team.

Distributing Fedora software

Copies of unmodified Fedora media

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to label media made from exact copies of the CD and DVD images distributed by the Fedora Project and its mirrors. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission to label Fedora Media, provided proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement appears as explained in Proper Trademark Use.

The Fedora Project provides labels in formats suitable for use in labeling Fedora Media, and recommends their use.

Distributing combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora or modified Fedora software

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use any identifiable Fedora branding to label media that contains modified Fedora software, or combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora software. This is the category where use of the Secondary Mark is appropriate. Guidelines relating to such usage of the Secondary Mark are set forth in this section.

Community members may use the Secondary Mark on and in conjunction with media that commingles unmodified Fedora software with other content that is not included in the official Fedora repositories (hereinafter "Other Content"), or that provides modified Fedora software, provided that:

OEM pre-loads of unmodified Fedora software

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to label or advertise computer systems pre-loaded with Fedora software. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission in connection with the provision and sale of computer systems pre-loaded with Fedora software, provided that:

Virtual images or appliances with unmodified Fedora software

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to label or advertise virtual images or appliance distributions pre-loaded with Fedora software. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission in connection with the provision and sale of virtual images or appliance distributions pre-loaded with Fedora software, provided that:

Usage That Requires Permission

Community members must obtain permission prior to using any of the Fedora Trademarks in the following situations.

Distributing Fedora software

New combinations of unmodified Fedora software

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use Fedora Trademarks to identify new combinations of only software provided by official Fedora repositories. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use Fedora Trademarks on and in conjunction with media that includes only software included in the official Fedora repositories, provided that:

You may also consider distributing the new combination under the Secondary Mark.

Unmodified Fedora software, with other content separately on same physical medium

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to identify media that contains only software from the official Fedora repositories, but also includes other content such as documents or media files in a separate area of the media for use by the recipient. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

Community members may use Fedora Trademarks on and in conjunction with media that contains software included in the official Fedora repositories, along with Other Content, provided that:

OEM pre-loads of combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora or modified Fedora software

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to label or advertise computer systems pre-loaded with combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora software, or with modified Fedora software. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Secondary Mark without prior permission in connection with the provision and sale of computer systems pre-loaded with a combination of Fedora software and non-Fedora or modified Fedora software, provided that:

Virtual images or appliances with combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora or modified Fedora software

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to label or advertise virtual images or appliance distributions pre-loaded with combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora software, or with modified Fedora software. The guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

It is permissible to use the Secondary Mark without prior permission in connection with the provision and sale of virtual images and appliance distributions pre-loaded with a combination of Fedora software and non-Fedora or modified Fedora software, provided that:

Domain names

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks, including the word "Fedora," in an Internet domain name.

The Fedora Project has established the fedoracommunity.org domain so that local community sites can form without cost or excessive effort to that community. Details about the process and benefits of a fedoracommunity.org domain are located on the Local community domains wiki page.

For any other use of the Fedora Trademarks in a domain name, please read the Local community domains page and contact the Council.

Non-software goods

In the past, community members have inquired whether it is permissible to use Fedora Trademarks on non-software goods such as T-shirts, stickers, and pens.

Community members may request from the Fedora Council a license to use the Fedora trademarks on non-software related goods, services, or other entities. The Council, or someone it delegates for the task, will ask to see the proposed designs before approving the use.

Unapproved Use

The following uses of the Fedora Trademarks or Secondary Mark are not approved under any foreseeable circumstances.

Except as set forth herein, the trademark owner retains and reserves all rights to the Fedora Trademarks and their use, including the right to modify these guidelines.

These guidelines may be amended from time to time at the discretion of the Council.

Proper Trademark Use

One of the purposes of the Fedora® Project is to make a cutting-edge version of Linux® widely available in consistent format that the public can come to trust. To achieve this purpose it is important that the technology can quickly be identified and that the recipient knows the technology they are receiving is the official and unmodified version. Red Hat has chosen the Fedora® mark to identify this effort and is granting usage rights in the Fedora Trademarks as previously described in this document in order to assure widespread availability.

Trademark Usage Guidelines

Guideline Use examples
When using the Fedora Trademarks you must provide the proper trademark symbols and a trademark attribution statement. Acceptable: Use Fedora® for the first instance of the trademark, and include the statement "Fedora and the Infinity design logo are trademarks of Red Hat, Inc."
Unacceptable: Never using the ® mark for Fedora, nor a trademark statement per the guidelines.
Always distinguish trademarks from surrounding text with at least initial capital letters or in all capital letters. Acceptable: Fedora, FEDORA
Unacceptable: fedora, yourFedora
Always use proper trademark form and spelling. Acceptable: Fedora
Unacceptable: FeDoRa, Fuhdoerah
Never pluralize a trademark. Never use "a" or "the" to refer to an instance of the trademark. Always use a trademark as an adjective modifying a noun, or as a singular noun. Acceptable: This is a Fedora system.Anyone can install Fedora.
Unacceptable: I put a Fedora on my mom's computer. I have seventeen Fedoras running in my lab.
Never use a trademark as a verb. Trademarks are products or services, never actions. Acceptable: Install Fedora on your computer.
Unacceptable: Fedoraize your system today!
Never use a trademark as a possessive. Instead, the following noun should be used in possessive form or the sentence reworded so there is no possessive. Acceptable: The Fedora desktop's interface is very clean.
Unacceptable: Fedora's desktop interface is very clean.
Never translate a trademark into another language. Acceptable: Quiero instalar Fedora 9 en mi sistema.
Unacceptable: Quiero instalar Sombrero 9 en mi sistema.
Never use trademarks to coin new words or names. Acceptable: N/A
Unacceptable: Fedora Fashion for geeks; Fedorate.
Never alter a trademark in any way including through unapproved fonts or visual identifiers. Acceptable: Proper use of the Fedora logo
Unacceptable: Putting a blue hat on top of the trademark
Never use or register any trademarks that are confusingly similar to, or a play on, the word Fedora. Acceptable: N/A
Unacceptable: Fuhdora Project
Never combine your company name with the Fedora name or use the Fedora name in a way that it could be perceived that Red Hat or the Fedora Project and your company have an organizational link such as a joint venture. Acceptable: AcmeCo uses Fedora software on all its servers.
Unacceptable: Bix Max servers are a partnership of Fedora and AcmeCo.
Never use the Fedora Trademarks in a disparaging manner or in a manner that infringes Red Hat trademark rights or violates any federal, state, or international law. Acceptable: N/A
Unacceptable: Little cartoon boy micturating on Fedora logo, applying Fedora logo outside permitted uses
Never use terminology that states or implies that the Fedora Project assumes any responsibility for the performance of your products and services. Acceptable: AcmeCo uses Fedora software on all its servers.
Unacceptable: Fedora runs AcmeCo's servers.
Never abbreviate or use any Fedora Trademarks as an acronym. Acceptable: The Fedora Users and Developers Conference is known as FUDCon.
Unacceptable: FedUDCon, FEDORA (Fabulous Exchangeable Distribution Of Real Artistry)
The Fedora Infinity design logo must be hyperlinked to (http://fedoraproject.org/), in contexts where such a hyperlink is technically feasible. Acceptable: Hyperlinking the logo where feasible
Unacceptable: Not hyperlinking the logo where feasible

Logo Usage Guidelines

For more information about the requirements for logo size, appearance, placement, and other considerations, refer to the Logo/Usage Guidelines for the Fedora mark and the Secondary Trademark Usage Guidelines for the Secondary Mark.

Other Information

Red Hat, Inc. ("Red Hat") does not permit use of its registered trademarks without permission. If you are aware of any such use, please contact us at fedora-legal@redhat.com.