Guidelines for Using HRCI Trademarks These guidelines ( Guidelines ) help individuals and organizations who use HRCI s trademarks or brands understand the general rules and responsibilities that apply to the use of those marks/brands. The Guidelines apply to HRCI certified individuals, organizations that provide HRCI exam prep courses (including those who participate in the Approved Provider Program and Approved-for-Credit Program), organizations that are authorized to provide continuing education activities for HRCI recertification credit, and others. We ask that you carefully review the information below, to ensure your compliance with the Guidelines. These Guidelines are important because they help avoid consumer confusion regarding the source, sponsorship, endorsement and affiliation of you and your goods and services. The Guidelines are general and may not cover all circumstances, so if you have a question about a situation not covered here or if you want to explore a brand license agreement with us, please contact us at hrcimarketing@hrci.org. Note, to the extent an individual or organization has entered into a trademark license with HRCI and the terms of that license conflict with these Guidelines, the license terms control. HRCI s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following terms (collectively Word Marks ), which may be updated from time to time: HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE (HRCI ) Associate Professional in Human Resources (aphr ) Professional in Human Resources (PHR ) Professional in Human Resources - California (PHRca ) Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR ) Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR ) Professional in Human Resources - International (PHRi ) Senior Professional in Human Resources - International (SPHRi ) HR LEADS BUSINESS HRCI VOICES 04/2016 HR Certification Institute 1
HRCI s trademarks also include, but are not limited to, the following logos (collectively Logos ), which may be updated from time to time: 04/2016 HR Certification Institute 2
Use of Logos A separate license is required to use the Logos. You may not use confusingly similar Logos. Use of Word Marks When using the Word Marks you must use them: as adjectives, since trademarks are adjectives, not nouns or verbs e.g., PHR exam not the PHR with a generic word or phrase immediately afterwards e.g., PHR exam or PHR exam prep course with the proper trademark notification symbol use the symbol in superscript at the end of the mark for all of the Word Marks, except in the cases listed below. e.g., PHR not PHR EXCEPTIONS: No symbol is required if you are an authorized credential holder using one of the Word Marks after your name (e.g., John Smith, PHR); e.g., John Smith, PHR not John Smith, PHR Use the TM symbol in connection with the marks HR LEADS BUSINESS and HRCI VOICES. This indicates that the marks are not yet registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. e.g., HRCI VOICES TM not HRCI VOICES 04/2016 HR Certification Institute 3
with a prominent attribution/disclaimer statement at the bottom of each page where the Word Marks appear, as follows: [Insert the Word Mark being used] is a trademark or registered trademark of Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI); HRCI is not the source of, and does not sponsor or endorse, the products/services promoted here. with your own trademarks used in more of an attention getting manner than the Word Marks e.g., ABC... PHR not PHR... ABC, where ABC is your mark only when the nature of your goods/services is not readily identifiable without the Word Marks e.g., when you provide PHR exam prep courses so you need to refer to PHR without altering the Word Marks, including but not limited to not using the Word Marks in plural or possessive form e.g., not PHRs without combining the Word Marks with your own trademarks e.g., not ABC HRCI prep courses, where ABC is your mark without using the Word Marks as the main name of your goods or services, or part of such a name e.g., not PHR PORTAL without using the Word Marks in an overly prominent or repetitive way (note, no more of the Word Marks should be used than is necessary to identify the nature of your goods/services) e.g., not ABC offers a PHR prep course, where ABC is your mark without using the Word Marks on or in connection with goods or promotional merchandise e.g., no PHR branded books, T-shirts, hats, etc. without using or registering the Word Marks as (or as part of): a company name or trademark, a social media user name, an app name, or a domain name at any level 04/2016 HR Certification Institute 4
e.g., not www.abc.com/phr, www.phr.abc.com, or www.facebook.com/phr, where ABC is your mark without using names, marks or brands that are confusingly similar to the Word Marks; e.g., you may not use the mark PPHR to offer similar goods or services without engaging in other conduct that suggests that HRCI is the source or sponsor of your goods or services, or that HRCI endorses or is affiliated with you or your goods or services e.g., not HRCI s one source for prep courses without using the Word Marks in a way that could otherwise be objectionable to HRCI 04/2016 HR Certification Institute 5
Terms & Conditions Guidance for partners The following terms and conditions apply when using the HRCI Logo; any use in violation of these terms and conditions is strictly prohibited. HRCI reserves the right to change these guidelines at any time at its sole discretion. You must comply with the guidelines as amended from time to time. Amended Guidelines will be emailed to the current contact address of record. Please send updates to contact information or any questions regarding these Guidelines to hrcimarketing@hrci.org. The HRCI Logo may only be used exactly as approved by HRCI on packaging, collateral materials, documentation, and advertising, including Internet advertising, solely for the purpose of promoting HRCI products. The HRCI Logo may not be used in any manner that expresses or might imply HRCI s affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement, or approval other than as consistent with this agreement. The HRCI Logo may not be included in any non-hrci trade name, business name, product or service name, logo, trade dress, design, slogan, or other trademark. The HRCI Logo may not be combined with any other symbols, including words, logos, icons, graphics, photos, slogans, numbers, or other design elements. The HRCI Logo, or any element thereof, including, but not limited to, HRCI s logo, logotypes, trade dress, and other elements of HRCI s marketing, packaging, and web sites, may not be imitated or used as a design feature in any of your materials. HRCI may provide you with artwork of the HRCI Logo. If provided, you must use this artwork, which you may not alter in any way. A minimum amount of empty space must be left between the HRCI Logo and any other object such as type, photography, borders, edges, etc. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER and TRADEMARK NOTICE: If you are promoting an exam preparation product, you must include the following disclaimer: "The HR Certification Institute (HRCI ) does not endorse any particular preparation program or offering. We encourage prospective certification holders to use a variety of resources that reflect their learning styles and needs. Purchasing a certification product is NOT required and HRCI does not guarantee that an individual will pass based on the purchase of a certification preparation product. Any place HRCI or an HRCI product is mentioned, you must include the following language: "aphr, PHR, PHRca, SPHR, GPHR, PHRi and SPHRi are all registered trademarks of HR Certification Institute." 04/2016 HR Certification Institute 6