Moderator Manual:Mod trademark

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[Updated on 24 Oct 2012] For Immediate Help: Please contact trademark@freecycle.org

For appropriately designed promotional materials please access our professionally designed brochures. Permission for printing and use of our mark may be request by writing to trademark@freecycle.org

Copyright and Trademark Policy

How to Use the Freecycle Trademark

The following guidelines are for all countries, unless otherwise specified. If you reside in the United States, you can find specific instructions here. If you reside in the European Union, you can find specific instructions here. If you reside in Canada, Australia or New Zealand, the proper logo information can be found here.

We are doing a really good thing here. And, we are also learning as we go, which means there will always be evolution and change. Because the Freecycle concept is unique and amazingly successful, there are many who have and who would try to use it for personal gain and profit. For that reason, The Freecycle Network ™ is incorporated as a nonprofit organization, and the Freecycle name and logo are both trademark protected. We need to do our best to properly use the Freecycle trademark so that we don't lose the right to it.

In legalese, the use of the term "Freecycle" denotes a gifting service which is officially approved by the nonprofit organization "The Freecycle Network," and one that the public can expect to adhere to certain standards. The Freecycle Network must approve any email list or web site that uses the term "Freecycle." in its name and provides any sort of exchange service. (A relevant point for us to note internally is that we have to demonstrate a "concerted" effort.)

Please include both the Freecycle logo and the below noted attribution statement as part of the local Group's front page description. If you would like to use a Freecycle logo separately from the attribution text in the European Union, it may be found here.

To use this image, enter its address into the image field in your group description.

Its address is: http://static.t-f-n.org/images/freecycle_logo.jpg (this will automatically apply the correct logo based on your local IP address).

Alteration of the actual logo is not permitted

Local Groups must use the official Freecycle logo. It must include an (R) symbol or ® and appear exactly as it does on http://www.freecycle.org. It is however perfectly okay to put adornments around it and behind it. Never put anything over any portion of the logo or otherwise obscure the basic for of the logo or the ® symbol

Attribution Statement

(This is fancy-speak for a statement attributing ownership of a trademark to someone at the bottom of emails, etc.)

At the bottom or within the body of all official Freecycle web sites, articles, press releases, automatic notices, and group home pages the following trademark attribution should appear (the horizontal lines are nice because they separate it from your content but they're not necessary):

Copyright © 2003 The Freecycle Network(TM). All rights reserved. Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are trademarks of The Freecycle Network in various countries.



In group email list footers use the following (in this case include the lines to set it apart)
Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are trademarks of The Freecycle Network in various countries.

General Trademark Usage Guidelines

  1. While "The Freecycle Network" is a trade name, it also functions as a service mark -- i.e., a source indicator -- so it is okay to use a ® with it.
    For example: The Freecycle Network®
    When used as a trade name (think proper name), the term "Freecycle.org®" may be used in place of "The Freecycle Network" to allow sentences to be more concise.
    For example: While The Freecycle Network has been growing by leaps and bounds, Freecycle.org® also remains true to its core mission.
  2. In all other cases, the term "Freecycle" must be used as an adjective, never as a noun or verb. For example:

Do not say "I'm a freecycler." Do say "I'm a Freecycle member."
Do not say "Keep on freecyclin!" Do say "Keep on recyclin', my Freecycle friends!"
Do not say "Freecycling group." Do say "Freecycle group"
Do not say "Please Freecycle." Do say "Please join a Freecycle group."
Do not say "There are 10 freecycles in this state." Do say "There are 10 Freecycle groups in this state."
Do not say "freecycle's membership." Do say "The Freecycle Network's membership."
(Note: new groups may use the word Freecycle in their group name/title, but should not be approved with any variations of the word Freecycle in their name, title or description, like freecycler, freecycling, freecycles.)

Usage in Email Addresses

Email addresses with the word "Freecycle" in them: one should consider using something explanatory in addition to the word "Freecycle" in their e-mail address or ID for clarity's sake. Example: FreecycleSpringfield@hotmail.com.==Usage on local group pages, in articles, press releases & automatic notices==

Usage on local group pages, in articles, press releases & automatic notices

The first "prominent display" or introduction of the mark (i.e., the first time you use the term Freecycle in a document) needs to be distinguished from other text with an (R) or ®. This is in addition to the above attribution statement (the footer-note statement in point 2). So, a Freecycle group site should have an (R) or ® by the logo at the top and an (R) or ® by the first use of The Freecycle Network (or of the word Freecycle, whichever comes first. The other instances of Freecycle can be without an (R) or ® marking, though it is still important to capitalize or color them to show they are not just common words.

  1. In HTML, use this HTML code: "Freecycle & reg;"(remove spaces and quotation marks) to create this: Freecycle ®
  2. For plain ASCII text documents, in email, and in files in a Yahoo group, use "Freecycle(R)" (without the quotes).
  3. For other documents, use any method available to create the (R) superscript or ® symbol.
  4. There's no need to use the ® mark more than once per document
  5. Do not use the ® mark in email addresses, email subject tag lines (such as [freecyclemytown]), group names, or URLs.
  6. Do be sure to include the footer in item 3 above, whenever possible.
  7. In emails, use the (R) version rather than the superscript (R) for proper display

Sample Freecyle Groups

The following sample Freecycle groups have been created to demonstrate how a group should look once it's set up properly. Please compare your group description with our sample pages -- on-site vs Yahoo groups, depending on where your group is hosted. Remember, you are a representative of Freecycle, a worldwide organization! FYI: These are not live groups so don't try to post.

On-Site Sample Group


Yahoo! Sample Group

Things to Remember


  1. The term "Freecycle" in text must always be capitalized to set it off from the surrounding text. Example: Freecycle groups are great!

  2. Local groups need to use the official Freecycle.org logo®. It must include a ® symbol and appear exactly as it does on http://www.freecycle.org. It is okay to put adornments around it and behind it. Never put anything over any portion of the logo or otherwise obscure the basic form of the logo or the R symbol.

  3. E-mail addresses with the word "Freecycle" in them: One should consider using something explanatory in addition to the word "Freecycle" in their e-mail address or ID for clarity's sake. Example: FreecycleSpringfield@hotmail.com.

  4. In the local Yahoo groups, articles, press releases and automatic notices: The first "prominent display" or introduction of the mark (i.e., the first time you use the term Freecycle.org® in a document) needs to be distinguished from other text with an R. This is in addition to the above attribution statement (the footer-note statement noted above). So, a Freecycle.org group site should have an R by the logo and an R by the first use of Freecycle.org® in the text. The other instances of Freecycle can be without a R marking, though it is still important to capitalize or color them to show they are not just common words.

This sample Freecycle group has been created to demonstrate how a group should look once it's set up properly. Please compare your group description with our sample page (My.Freecycle or Yahoo, depending on where your group is hosted) to be certain your description holds all necessary trademarks. Remember, you are a representative of Freecycle, a worldwide organization! FYI: These are not live groups so don't try to post. No one will receive your message. Smiles.
My.Freecycle Sample Group
Yahoo! Sample Freecycle Group

      1. In HTML, use this HTML code: "Freecycle ® (ampersand-no space, pound sign, 0174, semi-colon);" (without the quotes) to create this: Freecycle®
      2. For plain ASCII text documents, in email, and in files in a Yahoo group, use "Freecycle(R)" (without the quotes).
      3. For other documents, use any method available to create the R superscript.
      4. There's no need to use the R mark more than once per document.
      5. Do not use the R mark in email addresses, email subject tag lines (such as [freecyclemytown]), group names, or URLs.
      6. Do be sure to include the footer in item 3 above, whenever possible.
  • TIP: If you are sending an email and wish to add the R, it makes sense to use the (R) version rather than the superscript R symbol (even if you know how to generate the ASCII version) because many email programs will not display it right to the recipient.

Questions and Answers

Is it okay for individual email addresses or URLs to include the term "Freecycle?
Yes, but please make sure the word is accompanied by something explanatory, like FreecycleMytownMod.

Do personal emails about Freecycle need to use the ® mark or trademark attribution?
No. Having the trademark attribution in email list footers is enough.

Where are the most common places that "Freecycle" use should be checked?

  • Group description/home page (Management / Description and Appearance / Description - Edit)
  • Group email footer text (Management / Messages / Subject Tag and Footer - Edit)
  • Group welcome message (Management / Membership / Welcome Message - Edit)
  • All automatically sent notices -- especially the Freecycle Etiquette document Press releases or other stand-alone documents
  • Flyers


What changes should I make to my group's Freecycle Etiquette document?
Make sure all instances of Freecycle are used as an adjective or trade name. Look at the main Freecycle Etiquette link for good examples.

Are modified local logo graphics with our ® still okay?
Adding graphics around the mark is fine and fun. We do need to leave the mark itself unaltered (so you're OK as long as the logo and ® are not covered or obscured in any way).

What about our cafe sites? Do they have to be ® compliant as well?
If your cafe is in any way connected to Freecycle®, yes. Especially if the word "Freecycle" is in the name, or mentioned in the site. Use the same rules as for official sites.

I want to have someone look at my site, and tell me what I have to do.
OR
I want someone to come in and fix anything that needs to be fixed.
Send an email toTMsupport@freecycle.org and specify which option you are interested in. (have a look or come in)

Where can I find the official logo that is required for my site?
http://static.t-f-n.org/images/freecycle_logo.jpg

How do I go about getting a special logo made for my site?
Glad you asked! Please contact the Graphics Team at Graphics Team

(C) 2003, The Freecycle Network(TM). All rights reserved. The Freecycle.org logo is a registered trademark of The Freecycle Network.


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