Fedora Trademark Guidelines and Policies
Use by Red Hat
Fedora®, the Fedora word design, and the Infinity design logo, either separately or in combination, are hereinafter referred to as "Fedora Trademarks" and are trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. Except as provided in these guidelines, you may not use the Fedora Trademarks or any confusingly similar mark as a trademark for your product, or use the Fedora Trademarks in any other manner that might cause confusion in the marketplace, including but not limited to in advertising, on auction sites, or on software or hardware. Red Hat protects the Fedora Trademarks on behalf of the entire Fedora community. Indeed, the law obligates trademark owners to police their marks and prevent the use of confusingly similar names by third parties. As the trademark owner, Red Hat strives to use the Fedora Trademarks under the same guidelines as the rest of the community.
Use by the Fedora Project Board
The Fedora Project Board (hereinafter "Board") oversees the trademark guidelines to ensure compliance by the community. The Board grants permission for uses requiring it, as explained below, where practical, and serves as the first line of mediation when questions of use arise.
Secondary Mark
The Fedora Remix word design (hereinafter "Secondary Mark") is separate and distinct from the Fedora Trademarks. The Secondary Mark is related by use of the word "Fedora," but is not to be mistaken for the Fedora Trademarks. The purpose of the Secondary Mark is to provide downstream distributors a means to indicate their work includes or is derived from Fedora content, and thereby drive more interest in the Fedora Project itself.
Using the Secondary Mark may be premised on other requirements, such as a statement in print or in another prominent location stating that end users are not receiving unmodified Fedora software, and informing them where they can get unmodified Fedora software.
Use of the word "Fedora" in connection with use of the Secondary Mark must clearly indicate that the work contains modified Fedora content or non-Fedora content. Usage that does not meet this requirement includes but is not limited to the following examples:
- "based on Fedora"
- "built from Fedora"
- "powered by Fedora"
- "contains Fedora"
Other uses that do not properly indicate the work contains modified Fedora content or non-Fedora content are also not permitted.
Fedora Media
The Fedora Project distributes software in various formats, including a format which is designed to be reproduced on physical media by the recipient. Hereinafter, Fedora software provided by the Fedora Project in such formats and unmodified reproductions thereof in any form are collectively referred to as "Fedora Media." Examples of Fedora Media include but are not limited to:
- installation CDs and DVDs,
- live bootable CDs, DVDs, and USB devices, and
- any copies of those media in a format suitable for data interchange.
Spins
The Fedora Project also distributes software in formats that provide recipients with the capability to recombine the software, including combinations not included in the collection of Fedora Media. Hereinafter, "Spin" refers to a combination of software packages and other software on a medium used to boot or install a computer operating system in a manner similar to Fedora Media. Examples of Spins include but are not limited to:
- installation CDs and DVDs,
- live bootable CDs, DVDs, and USB devices, and
- any copies of those media in a format suitable for data interchange.
Spins using the Fedora Trademarks or the Secondary Mark may be subject to additional requirements imposed by the Fedora Board or its designees or delegates.
Usage That Does Not Require Permission
Web sites
Alice wants to indicate her love for Fedora by putting the logo on her personal blog.
Brutus wants to make a page on his favorite social networking site that includes the logo so he can show his support for Fedora.
The Elbonia Institute of Technology wants to put a link to Fedora on their wiki to show their support for the project.
It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks on websites to show your support for the Fedora Project, provided that:
- the use is not disparaging to Red Hat or to the Fedora Project
- where possible, the design logo hyperlinks to the Fedora Project website, http://fedoraproject.org/, or if that is not possible, the site includes a prominent link to the Fedora Project website at http://fedoraproject.org/.
- the use is in connection with promoting the Fedora Project
- the site indicates clearly that it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Fedora Project; in addition, where possible:
- the site must include the text "This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Fedora Project" prominently on any page that includes the Fedora Trademarks, and
- if the Fedora Trademarks appear in a page header or any area that is designed to be presented on more than one page, the notice must also be designed to be presented on all of those pages as well. (I.e., if the Fedora Trademarks appear in a site-wide header, the informational text must appear in that header or an identically site-wide footer.)
- the site does not use visual styling that could be confusing to viewers or visitors as to whether the site is hosted by or on behalf of the Fedora Project
- the site does not use the Fedora Trademarks to imply endorsement of or affiliation with any goods or services, other than the Fedora Project itself
Proper trademark symbols must be used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use.
Business web sites
Bart wants to offer Fedora media for sale at his computer retail business' web site.
Buck wants to have a prominent branded link to the Fedora Project on his business site, since he uses Fedora regularly to power his business.
Bertha has a Linux consulting business and provides clients with services for Fedora systems.
It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks on business web sites, provided that:
- the use is not disparaging to Red Hat or to the Fedora Project,
- the design logo hyperlinks to the Fedora Project website, http://fedoraproject.org/ ,
- the use is in connection with promoting the Fedora Project,
- the use does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by the Fedora Project, and
- the use of the Fedora Trademarks does not imply endorsement of or affiliation with any non-Fedora goods or services.
Provided these guidelines are observed, it is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks to sell Fedora Media, and to advertise services for Fedora-based systems (installation, configuration, troubleshooting, etc.)
Proper trademark symbols must be used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement must appear as explained in Proper Trademark Use.
Business cards
Cathy wants to have a Fedora business card for trade shows to indicate she's an Ambassador.
It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission on business cards to identify one's affiliation with the Fedora Project, provided the business card follows the Fedora Ambassador Business card template located at this URL. Proper trademark symbols must be used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks as explained in Proper Trademark Use.
Promotional events
Ethel wants to pass out fliers at a free or open source software event and show that Fedora is represented there.
It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission to promote free and open source software events where individuals in the Project appear as ambassadors, distribute Fedora Media, or otherwise represent the project, provided:
- proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks as explained in Proper Trademark Use, and
- the official logo usage guidelines are strictly observed.
Distributing Fedora software
Copies of unmodified Fedora media
Dirk wants to make homemade labels for unmodified Fedora 41 media he's giving to other people.
It is permissible to use the Fedora Trademarks without prior permission to label Fedora Media, provided proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks and the trademark attribution statement appears as explained in Proper Trademark Use.
The Fedora Project provides labels in formats suitable for use in labeling Fedora Media, and recommends their use.
Distributing combinations of Fedora software with non-Fedora or modified Fedora software
Betty wants to make a Spin that includes some software not included in the official Fedora repository.
Sarah wants to make a Spin that contains only Fedora software, but modified with her own patches.
Community members may use the Secondary Mark on and in conjunction with media that commingles unmodified Fedora software with other content that is not included in the official Fedora repositories (hereinafter "Other Content"), or that provides modified Fedora software, provided that:
- the Other Content is not disparaging of Red Hat or the Fedora Project, and
- a notice is prominently displayed either on the physical media or, if the media is provided through electronic means, at the point of dissemination, indicating that:
- the software provided is not provided or supported by the Fedora Project, and
- official Fedora software is available through the Fedora Project website, and linking to the Fedora Project website at http://fedoraproject.org/ .
- proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Secondary Mark as explained in Proper Trademark Use, and
- the official logo usage guidelines are strictly observed.
Usage That Requires Permission
Community members must obtain permission prior to using any of the Fedora Trademarks or the Secondary Mark in the following situations.
Distributing Fedora software
Unmodified Fedora software
Arnold wants to make a Spin that includes only software that's in the official Fedora repository.
It is permissible to use Fedora Trademarks on and in conjunction with media that includes only software included in the official Fedora repositories, provided that:
- use of the Fedora Trademarks is approved by the Fedora Board,
- proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks, and
- the trademark attribution statement appears as explained in Proper Trademark Use.
Unmodified Fedora software, with other content separately on same physical medium
Cathy wants to make a Live USB key with a Live image that includes only Fedora software, but she also wants to place additional content (documents, non-Fedora software) on the same USB key but separate from the Fedora software.
Community members may use Fedora Trademarks on and in conjunction with media that contains software included in the official Fedora repositories, along with Other Content, provided that:
- use of the Fedora Trademarks is approved by the Fedora Board,
- the Other Content does not substantially modify the content, configuration, or operation of the Fedora software without additional user intervention,
- the Other Content is labeled and distributed in a way that clearly indicates it is not part of the Fedora software provided on the media, and is not affiliated with, provided by, or supported by the Fedora Project,
- proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Fedora Trademarks as explained in Proper trademark use, and
- the official logo usage guidelines are strictly observed.
Domain names
Alexa wants to set up a domain called "fedora-rulez.org."
Community members may request from the Board a trademark license to use the Fedora trademarks in a domain name.
Non-software goods
Brent wants to sell Fedora-branded CD cases.
Community members may request from the Fedora Board a trademark license to use the Fedora trademarks on non-software related goods, services, or other entities.
Unapproved Use
The following uses of the Fedora Trademarks or Secondary Mark are not approved under any foreseeable circumstances.
- Violations of the Logo Usage Guidelines or Trademark Usage Guidelines
- Any use outside these guidelines not by explicit written permission of the trademark owner
- Uses that the Fedora Board or Red Hat deem unacceptable
The trademark owner retains and reserves all rights to the Fedora Trademarks and their use.
Proper Trademark Use
One of the purposes of the Fedora® Project is to make a cutting-edge version of Linux® widely available in consistent format that the public can come to trust. To achieve this purpose it is important that the technology can quickly be identified and that the recipient knows the technology they are receiving is the official and unmodified version. Red Hat has chosen the Fedora® mark to identify this effort and is granting usage rights in the Fedora Trademarks as previously described in this document in order to assure widespread availability.
Trademark Usage Guidelines
| Guideline | Use examples |
|---|---|
| When using the Fedora Trademarks you must provide the proper trademark symbols and a trademark attribution statement. | Acceptable: Use Fedora® for the first instance of the trademark, and include the statement "Fedora and the Infinity design logo are trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. |
| Unacceptable: Never using the ® mark for Fedora, nor a trademark statement per the guidelines. | |
| Always distinguish trademarks from surrounding text with at least initial capital letters or in all capital letters. | Acceptable: Fedora, FEDORA |
| Unacceptable: fedora, yourFedora | |
| Always use proper trademark form and spelling. | Acceptable: Fedora |
| Unacceptable: FeDoRa, Fuhdoerah | |
| Never use a trademark as a noun. Always use a trademark as an adjective modifying the noun. | Acceptable: This is a Fedora system. |
| Unacceptable: This is a running Fedora. | |
| Never use a trademark as a verb. Trademarks are products or services, never actions. | Acceptable: Install Fedora on your computer. |
| Unacceptable: Fedoraize your system today! | |
| Never modify a trademark to a plural form. Instead, change the generic word from the singular to the plural. | Acceptable: I have three Fedora systems. |
| Unacceptable: I have three Fedoras. | |
| Never translate a trademark into another language. | Acceptable: Quiero instalar Fedora 9 en mi sistema. |
| Unacceptable: Quiero instalar Sombrero 9 en mi sistema. | |
| Never use trademarks to coin new words or names. | Acceptable: N/A |
| Unacceptable: Fedora Fashion for geeks. | |
| Never alter a trademark in any way including through unapproved fonts or visual identifiers. | Acceptable: Proper use of the Fedora logo |
| Unacceptable: Putting a blue hat on top of the trademark | |
| Never use or register any trademarks that are confusingly similar to, or a play on, the word Fedora. | Acceptable: N/A |
| Unacceptable: Fuhdora Project | |
| Never combine your company name with the Fedora name or use the Fedora name in a way that it could be perceived that Red Hat or the Fedora Project and your company have an organizational link such as a joint venture. | Acceptable: AcmeCo uses Fedora software on all its servers. |
| Unacceptable: Bix Max servers are a partnership of Fedora and AcmeCo. | |
| Never use the Fedora Trademarks in a disparaging manner or in a manner that infringes Red Hat trademark rights or violates any federal, state, or international law. | Acceptable: N/A |
| Unacceptable: Little cartoon boy micturating on Fedora logo, applying Fedora logo outside permitted uses | |
| Never use terminology that states or implies that the Fedora Project assumes any responsibility for the performance of your products and services. | Acceptable: AcmeCo uses Fedora software on all its servers. |
| Unacceptable: Fedora runs AcmeCo's servers. | |
| Never abbreviate or use any Fedora Trademarks as an acronym. | Acceptable: The Fedora Users and Developers Conference is known as FUDCon. |
| Unacceptable: FedUDCon, FEDORA (Fabulous Exchangeable Distribution Of Real Artistry) | |
| The Fedora Infinity design logo must be hyperlinked to (http://fedoraproject.org/), in contexts where such a hyperlink is technically feasible. | Acceptable: Hyperlinking the logo where feasible |
| Unacceptable: Not hyperlinking the logo where feasible |
Logo Usage Guidelines
For more information about the requirements for logo size, appearance, placement, and other considerations, refer to the logo usage guidelines page.
Other Information
Red Hat, Inc. ("Red Hat") does not permit use of its registered trademarks without permission. If you are aware of any such use, please contact us at fedora-legal@redhat.com.
If you have trademark questions pertaining to an existing agreement or other business dealings with Red Hat, please contact Red Hat Legal Affairs at trademarks@redhat.com.