Trademark Policy
Introduction
This Trademark Policy ("Policy") governs the use of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, symbols, and other branding elements (collectively referred to as the "Marks") owned by LayerK Group LTD ("LayerK"), a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. The Marks are fundamental to maintaining the integrity, trust, and identity of the LayerK brand, and this Policy outlines the proper and permitted use of our Marks by third parties, community members, and the public.
The purpose of this Policy is to (i) protect the value and goodwill associated with the LayerK Marks, (ii) provide clear guidance on the acceptable use of the LayerK Marks, (iii) prevent misuse, confusion, and dilution of the LayerK brand and (iv) enable fair and consistent enforcement of our trademark rights globally.
This Policy applies to all users of LayerK Marks, whether registered or unregistered. It is your responsibility to regularly check for updates to this Policy, which may be revised at any time by LayerK.
For any questions regarding the use of our Marks, or to request permissions beyond what is outlined here, please contact [email protected].
Scope and Ownership of Trademarks
The Marks referenced in this Policy are the exclusive property of LayerK. These include:
(a) Word Marks: "LayerK", "LYK" and any other names associated with LayerK products, services, or technologies.
(b) Logos: the LayerK logo, associated design elements, and any other symbols or graphical representations associated with LayerK.
(c) Other Marks: any combination of word marks, logos, or designs that are used to identify LayerK or its products and services, whether registered or unregistered.
The Marks are protected under trademark law, trade dress law, unfair competition laws, and other applicable intellectual property laws in jurisdictions worldwide. Even if a Mark is not registered in a specific jurisdiction, LayerK retains rights to the unregistered Marks as a result of their use and reputation, in accordance with local laws.
General Principles for Trademark Use
The LayerK Marks must be used in accordance with the following principles:
(a) Accurate Representation: you must not use the Marks in any way that misrepresents your relationship with LayerK, the nature of your products, services, or endorsements.
(b) Non-Alteration: the Marks must not be modified, including but not limited to altering proportions, colors, fonts, or design elements, unless prior written permission has been obtained from LayerK.
(c) Non-Confusion: you must ensure that the use of the Marks does not create confusion as to the source or endorsement of your products or services. If you are offering products or services that are compatible with LayerK or the LYK token, you must clearly state that such products or services are independent from LayerK and are not endorsed by us.
(d) Prohibited Uses: the Marks must not be used for any illegal, defamatory, disparaging, or otherwise harmful purposes, nor may they be used in connection with activities that violate any laws or the reputation of LayerK.
Acceptable Uses Without Prior Written Approval
You may use the LayerK Marks under the following conditions without obtaining prior written permission from LayerK, provided that you comply with the rules set out in this Policy:
(a) Community Participation: use of the Marks to indicate your participation in the LayerK community, provided such use does not imply official endorsement or sponsorship by LayerK.
(b) Compatibility Statements: you may use the Marks to truthfully indicate that your product, service, or content is compatible with LayerK’s technology or accepts LYK tokens for payments.
(c) Educational and Informative Use: use of the Marks in non-commercial educational materials, blogs, articles, or guides, provided you clearly distinguish that such materials are not official LayerK resources.
Examples of permitted uses without prior written approval:
A tutorial titled "How to Use the LayerK Protocol";
A free blog series titled "LayerK Developers Weekly";
A software tool clearly labeled as "Compatible with LayerK”.
Uses Requiring Prior Written Approval
Certain uses of the Marks require explicit written permission from LayerK. These include, but are not limited to:
(a) Commercial Use: use of the Marks on products, packaging, advertisements, or promotional materials intended for sale, including merchandise such as T-shirts, mugs, or software products.
(b) Endorsement or Sponsorship Claims: any use that suggests or implies an official endorsement, affiliation, or partnership with LayerK.
(c) Modifications to the Marks: any use of the Marks where alterations, translations, or combinations with other marks or logos are involved.
Examples of uses requiring prior written approval:
A conference titled "Official LayerK Global Summit";
Merchandise sold for profit featuring the LayerK logo;
A fork of the LayerK software under a new name using similar branding.
To request permission for such uses, contact us at [•]. In your request, please provide a detailed description of the intended use, including visual representations if available.
Rules for Using the Marks
When using the LayerK Marks, you agree to the following specific rules:
(a) The Marks should be accompanied by appropriate trademark notices where applicable. For example:
(a.a) For word marks: "LayerK™ is a trademark of LayerK Group LTD";
(a.b) For logos or combined marks: "LayerK™ and the LayerK Logo™ are trademarks of LayerK Group LTD".
(b) You may not register or attempt to register the Marks, or confusingly similar variations of the Marks, as a trademark, service mark, business name, domain name, or other identifier in any jurisdiction.
(c) The Marks must not be used in connection with the distribution of unauthorized or infringing software or content.
(d) You must not use any names, terms, or logos that are confusingly similar to the Marks or that imply a relationship with LayerK without permission.
(e) Any use that damages, dilutes, or tarnishes the reputation or goodwill associated with the LayerK brand is strictly prohibited.
(f) You may resize or scale the Marks to suit your materials, but proportions, alignment, and design elements must remain unchanged.
(g) The Marks may not be used in any advertising or marketing that violates applicable advertising laws or standards.
Event-Specific Trademark Usage
LayerK encourages community events, meetups, and developer conferences. If you wish to use the LayerK Marks to promote such events, the following conditions apply:
(a) The event must not suggest or imply official sponsorship, partnership, or endorsement by LayerK unless such a relationship exists.
(b) All promotional materials must include a clear disclaimer if there is no official relationship with LayerK. For example: “This event is organized by the community and is not affiliated with or endorsed by LayerK Group LTD”.
(c) Use of the Marks must comply with the general principles and rules outlined in this Policy.
Examples:
Appropriate: "LayerK Community Meetup – Hosted by Developers".
Inappropriate: "LayerK Official Conference" (without permission).
Prohibited Uses of the Marks
You are expressly prohibited from using the LayerK Marks in the following circumstances:
(a) In connection with any illegal activity, including but not limited to fraud, money laundering, or the promotion of illegal substances or activities.
(b) In a manner that misleads consumers or the public about the relationship between you and LayerK.
(c) To promote or endorse services, products, or websites that compete with or damage the reputation of LayerK.
Enforcement and Revocation
LayerK reserves the right to revoke or modify any permissions granted under this Policy at any time, for any reason, and without liability. Upon such revocation, you must immediately cease using the Marks and remove them from all physical and digital materials.
LayerK will take legal action, if necessary, to enforce its trademark rights and prevent unauthorized or harmful use of the Marks.
Governing Law
This Policy, and any disputes arising from it, will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands, without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Policy shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the British Virgin Islands.
Appendix
The LayerK Marks
Word Trademarks: LayerK, LYK
Logos:
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