Element is an open source company. Because our code is freely available for download and modification, it’s important that our trademarks are used correctly to help users understand when Element officially supports a product or service. If you're using any Element trademarks, you must follow the guidelines outlined in this policy.
In this document, “Element” may refer to New Vector Limited (registered in England and Wales under company number 10873661 with its registered office at 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1AG), and/or its subsidiaries: Element Software SARL (France), Element Software Inc (USA), Element Software GmbH (Germany), and their authorized agents (collectively referred to as “Element,” “we,” or “us”).
To report potential misuse of Element trademarks, please contact us at
legal@element.io
.
When do you need permission to use Element trademarks?
You may use Element trademarks without requesting specific permission in the following situations:
-
Referencing Element wordmarks in text to accurately describe or link to unmodified Element software, products, services, or technologies.
-
Including Element logos in visuals where you're truthfully referencing or linking to services hosted, managed or supported by Element.
-
Explaining that your software is based on or compatible with Element’s open-source code, provided this complies with the applicable open-source license.
-
Describing a social media account, page, or community—provided it doesn’t mislead users about your affiliation with Element.
All other uses require prior written consent from Element
- this includes, but is not limited to use in domain names or commercial applications. Please reach out to legal@element.io for inquiries.
How to use Element trademarks properly:
General Guidelines
Do:
-
Provide ample space around Element logos to keep them visually distinct (refer to Element’s
logo guidelines
).
-
Use trademarks exactly as they appear in the official Element brand assets
page.
-
Accompany use with a trademark attribution such as:
“[Element trademark] is a trademark of Element Software Inc in the U.S. and other countries.”
Don’t:
-
Do not incorporate Element trademarks in your business, product, service, app, domain, or publication names.
-
Avoid creating logos, names, slogans, or other materials that are confusingly similar to Element branding.
-
Do not use trademarks in a way that implies Element’s sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation without permission.
-
Avoid displaying Element branding more prominently than your own branding.
-
Do not place Element trademarks on merchandise for sale (e.g., t-shirts, mugs).
-
Do not use trademarks for commercial purposes like offering technical support or hosting without authorisation.
-
Do not alter, abbreviate, or combine Element trademarks with other words, symbols, or imagery.
Social Media Guidelines
In addition to the above, and subject to any written agreement you may have with Element, social media accounts and pages:
-
May not begin with an Element trademark in the name or handle.
-
May not use Element logos in a way that implies official affiliation (including in profile or cover images).
For example, you cannot name your account, page, or community “Element Representatives” or “Element Software.” However, it would be acceptable to name your account, page, or community “Fans of Element” or “Information about Element Software” as long as you do not use the Element logos or otherwise suggest any affiliation with Element.
Guidelines for Open Source Projects
While the open-source licenses governing Element’s code define what you may do with the code itself, they
do not grant permission to use Element’s trademarks
.
If you are building on or modifying Element open-source code for your own project:
You must:
-
Comply with the relevant open-source license terms.
-
Choose a distinct brand and identity to clearly indicate your project is not affiliated with Element.
-
Follow the General Guidelines above.
You must not:
-
Use Element trademarks (in whole or in part) in the name, branding, or presentation of your project.
-
Create the impression that your software is officially released, endorsed, or maintained by Element.
You may:
-
Clearly (in plain text only) state that your project “works with” or “is compatible with” Element software, if accurate.
-
Acknowledge that your project is built on Element’s open-source technology (without using logos), as long as you clarify that it is not officially associated with Element.
Questions?
For any further inquiries, please contact us at
legal@element.io
.
