# Trademark Policy

## Marks

The following are trademarks of **Invariant Systems, Inc.**:

- **AIIR** (word mark)
- **AI Integrity Receipts** (word mark)
- **Invariant Systems** (word mark)
- The AIIR logo and visual identity (if/when published)

## Open-source use

The Apache License 2.0 grants rights to use, modify, and distribute the
AIIR **software**. It does **not** grant rights to use Invariant Systems'
trademarks except as required for reasonable and customary use in
describing the origin of the software.

## What you CAN do

- Say _"Built with AIIR"_ or _"Based on AIIR"_ to describe your fork or
  derivative work, provided you make clear that your project is **not**
  the official AIIR project and is **not** endorsed by Invariant Systems.
- Use the name "AIIR" in source code comments, documentation, and
  dependency declarations that refer to the upstream project.
- State _"Compatible with the AIIR receipt format"_ if your tool
  produces or verifies receipts conforming to the AIIR specification.

## What you CANNOT do

- **Call your fork "AIIR"** as its primary name, or any name confusingly
  similar (e.g., "AIIR Pro", "AIIR Enterprise", "OpenAIIR", "AIIR+").
- **Use "AIIR Certified"**, "AIIR Verified", "AIIR Approved", or any
  similar phrase that implies official endorsement or certification by
  Invariant Systems.
- **Use the Invariant Systems name or logo** in a way that suggests your
  product is published by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Invariant
  Systems.
- **Use the marks in your product name, domain name, or social-media
  handle** (e.g., `aiir-cloud.com`, `@aiir_tools`) without prior written
  permission.
- **Sell services under the AIIR name** (e.g., "AIIR Consulting",
  "AIIR Support") without a trademark license.

## Naming your fork

If you fork AIIR, please choose a **distinct name** that does not include
"AIIR" as a standalone word. Acceptable patterns:

| ✅ OK | ❌ Not OK |
|-------|----------|
| `acme-receipts` (fork of AIIR) | `AIIR Enterprise` |
| `receipt-tool` — based on AIIR | `OpenAIIR` |
| `my-integrity-receipts` | `AIIR Pro` |
| `acme-audit` (AIIR-compatible) | `AIIR Certified by Acme` |

## The "AIIR-Compatible" mark

We encourage interoperability. If your tool produces receipts that conform
to the AIIR receipt JSON schema and pass `aiir verify`, you may state:

> _"Compatible with the AIIR receipt format"_

You may **not** state or imply that your tool **is** AIIR, or that it has
been tested, certified, or approved by Invariant Systems.

## Requesting permission

For trademark use not covered above, contact:

**trademark@invariantsystems.io**

We're generally friendly about legitimate use. Just ask first.

## Enforcement

Invariant Systems reserves the right to revoke permission for trademark
use that causes confusion, dilutes the marks, or implies false
endorsement. We will always attempt to resolve issues informally before
taking legal action.

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_This policy is adapted from the
[Model Trademark Guidelines](https://modeltrademarkguidelines.org/) and
is effective as of March 2026._
