# VINASIG Brand Usage Policy

Effective 4 October 2026. The canonical policy is maintained in [VINASIG Brand Assets](https://github.com/VINASIG/vinasig-brand-assets/blob/main/BRAND_POLICY.md). This repository carries a reviewed copy.

VINASIG opens software and knowledge while protecting the organization's identity. The VINASIG name, logos, wordmarks, lockups, favicons, editable artwork and official identity assets are separate from software, documentation, database and font licenses. No open software or Creative Commons grant applies to that artwork unless explicitly stated for a particular asset.

## Permitted references

VINASIG permits non-exclusive use of its existing logo exports, without a separate request, for these truthful references when the conditions below are followed.

- Mentioning or identifying VINASIG and its projects.
- Articles, presentations, educational materials and documentation that accurately discuss VINASIG.
- Community events, backdrops and sponsor walls that accurately show VINASIG's actual role. A sponsor wall is appropriate only when sponsorship really exists and its display is authorized by that relationship.

Editorial reference is permitted in a commercial publication too. This permission does not represent sponsorship, partnership, endorsement or approval. A general community display must not present VINASIG as a sponsor when it is only the subject of discussion.

## Conditions

- Use the existing export that fits the actual light or dark surface. Preserve its geometry, wordmark, colors, proportions and internal artwork. Uniform resizing and technical file-format conversion are permitted without redesigning the identity.
- Keep the mark clear and identifiable. Follow the current asset-selection guide. Website headers use transparent exports without an added padded, rounded or white logo card unless an owner-approved context requires one.
- Identify the true relationship in surrounding content. Do not suggest VINASIG owns, operates, approves, sponsors or certifies another project, product or event when that is untrue.
- Do not use the mark as another organization's identity, register confusing names or marks, or present altered work as official VINASIG artwork.
- Preserve relevant notices and source records when redistributing permitted unchanged exports. Third-party assets retain their own terms.

## Written permission required

Obtain written permission before commercial advertising or brand campaigns, co-branding, merchandise, product packaging, or using VINASIG marks as part of another party's product, service or organizational identity. A request should describe the context, relationship, artwork, placement, commercial use and duration.

Use an existing public organization contact in the [VINASIG directory](https://github.com/VINASIG/vinasig-org-directory/blob/main/ACCOUNTS.md), or a public issue in [Brand Assets](https://github.com/VINASIG/vinasig-brand-assets/issues). Do not publish private contract details in an issue. Silence is not permission.

## Software freedoms and legal rights

This policy applies to the separate identity assets and marks. It imposes no additional restriction on software, documentation or database rights granted under their standard licenses. Independently operated forks should use their own product identity and distinguish themselves from official VINASIG releases. Required legal attribution and truthful references remain permitted.

This policy does not limit lawful nominative use, fair use, other legal exceptions, or permissions already validly granted. It does not assert trademark registration or transfer ownership of third-party material. Uses outside the permission above require a separate agreement or another valid legal basis.

Space Grotesk font software remains under its original SIL Open Font License. Lucide icons and external brand marks retain their respective notices and owners' rights. Neither the font license nor an icon license authorizes use of the VINASIG identity.

The policy text may be shared under CC BY-SA 4.0 as documentation. Sharing its text does not grant ownership of, or an open license to, the marks it describes.