The Open Source Initiative (OSI) trademarks, including “OSI,” “Open Source Initiative,” the “OSI logo,” and “OSI Approved Open Source License,” are protected on behalf of the open source community. As trademark owners, OSI is legally obligated to prevent confusingly similar uses by third parties.
OSI trademarks and registration
The OSI “Keyhole Logo,” designed by Colin Viebrock, symbolizes unlocking source code. This logo and its word mark are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for public advocacy promoting non-proprietary software (Class 35) and educational services related to non-proprietary software (Class 41). The logo is also registered in Australia, Benelux, Canada, and China. The “OSI Approved Open Source License” is also a registered trademark of the Open Source Initiative.
General principles for trademark use
Written approval is NOT always required
Written permission is generally not required for non-commercial and community websites, business websites, promotional events, and publications, provided the following conditions are met:
- Promote OSI Approved Licenses®: The use must promote OSI-approved software licenses.
- Avoid disparagement: Do not disparage OSI.
- No implied endorsement: Do not imply sponsorship or endorsement by OSI.
- Proper symbols and attribution: Use proper trademark symbols (®) and include an attribution statement (e.g., “OSI and Open Source Initiative are trademarks of Open Source Initiative”).
- Observe logo usage guidelines: Adhere to specific logo usage guidelines (see “Branding” section below).
- Non-commercial/community websites specifics:
- Clearly state that the site is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSI.
- Provide a copy of how the trademark is used to the OSI using the contact form.
Written approval IS required when:
- Distributing software under an OSI Approved License mixed with software using other non-approved licenses on the same physical medium or website.
- Using OSI Trademarks in domain names.
- Using OSI Trademarks for non-software goods, like t-shirts or other merchandising.
Not approved uses
The following uses of the OSI Trademarks are not approved under any foreseeable circumstances.
- Violations of these guidelines
- Any use outside these guidelines not by explicit written permission
OSI retains and reserves all rights to the OSI Trademarks and their use, including the right to modify these guidelines.
These guidelines (except for trademark licenses executed for non-software goods) may be amended from time to time at the discretion of OSI and such changes will be effective ten (10) days after the changes are posted. OSI may provide you with notice of such changes, but need not do so. You are responsible for checking this site for any changes.
Simple ways to avoid violating the OSI trademark and branding guidelines
| Guideline | Acceptable example | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When using the OSI Trademarks you must provide the proper trademark symbols and a trademark attribution statement. | Use for the first instance of the OSI Logo include the ® mark, and include the statement “The OSI logo trademark is the trademark of Open Source Initiative.” | Never using the ® mark for OSI Logo, nor a trademark statement per the guidelines. |
| Always distinguish trademarks from surrounding text with at least initial capital letters or in all capital letters. | Open Source Initiative or OPEN SOURCE INITIATIVE | open source initiative |
| Always use a trademark as an adjective modifying a noun, or as a singular noun. | This software is licensed under an Open Source Initiative Approved License®. | I put Open Source Initiative software on AcmeCo’s server. |
| 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. | Many software programs licensed under OSI’s approved licenses are easy to use. | OSI’s software is easy to use. |
- Prohibited Uses:
- Do not use trademarks as possessives.
- Do not translate trademarks.
- Do not alter trademarks.
- Do not use confusingly similar marks.
- Do not combine company names with OSI names in a way that implies an organizational link.
- Do not use the trademarks disparagingly.
- Do not imply that OSI is responsible for the performance of third-party products or services.
- Hyperlink OSI Logo: The OSI Logo must be hyperlinked to opensource.org where technically feasible.
Acknowledgment and compliance
Users of OSI Trademarks acknowledge OSI’s sole ownership and agree not to interfere with or diminish OSI’s rights. They also agree not to register confusingly similar designations. Non-compliance with these guidelines requires modification of use or cessation of trademark use within ten days of written notice.
Branding
Official OSI logos
Fonts and colors
Typeface
Use the Open Sans Ultra-Bold font for the “open” and Open Sans Semi-Bold font for the “Source Initiative” as complementary fonts to the OSI Logo.
1.5. Color Palette
| Light Green | Dark Green | Black |
|---|---|---|
| Pantone®: 361 CVU | Pantone®: 361 CVU +50% Black | Pantone®: Black |
| CMYK (%): 76,0,91,0 | CMYK (%): 76,0,91,50 | CMYK (%): 0,0,0,100 |
| RGB (0-255): 61,166,57 | RGB (0-255): 30,83,29 | RGB (0-255): 0,0,0 |
| HEX: #3DA639 | HEX: #1E531D | HEX: #000000 |
Examples of mistakes and violations of these guidelines
