Guidelines for the Informational Use of ETS Trademarks by Third Parties

(Canada Version)
Posted: July 8, 2020

Educational Testing Service (ETS) has gained valuable property rights by the proper and continuous use of its trademarks. If a trademark is improperly used, its value can become diluted or generic. These Guidelines have been developed for third parties in response to common questions regarding the proper legal usage of ETS trademarks and apply with respect to use of ETS trademarks in materials distributed only in Canada. For guidance on the proper legal usage of ETS trademarks in materials distributed outside of Canada or intended for worldwide distribution, please consult the Guidelines posted on the ETS website for your country.

Please consult the Guidelines when you refer to trademarks owned by ETS.

ETS thanks you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact ETS's trademark department at trademarks@ets.org.

Overview

  • Any reference to ETS or to any ETS trademark should not suggest endorsement, sponsorship, or association with ETS or ETS products or services.
  • The use of ETS trademarks in text or in a title should not show ETS or its products in a false or negative light.
  • Your company or brand name should always appear on your product or materials in a size that will immediately identify you as the source of the product or service.
  • A proper separation should be maintained between your company or brand name and an ETS trademark.
  • Neither ETS trademarks nor their translations or transliterations can be incorporated into your company or brand name, product name, domain name, trademark, trademark application, trademark description or identification of goods or services, social media user name or website, or advertising keyword. In addition, you cannot register an ETS trademark alone in a domain name, social media user name or as an advertising keyword.
  • ETS trademarks cannot be translated or transliterated into another language without prior approval from ETS.
  • ETS trademarks cannot be incorporated into your logo design.
  • ETS trademarks cannot be modified. Do not add designs or stylized typeface to any ETS trademark. Do not use any ETS trademarks in a transformed style.
  • Any use of the ETS logo, or any ETS stylized trademark on your product, promotional material or website is strictly prohibited.
  • ETS trademarks should never be used in a possessive or pluralized form.
  • ETS trademarks should never be displayed alone. The trademark should be used as a proper adjective and should be followed by the appropriate registry symbol ("®" is the symbol for "registered trademarks"; "" is the symbol for "unregistered trademarks") and descriptor/identifier.
  • ETS trademarks should not be emphasized or be more prominent or eye-catching than any other word on your product, promotional material, website or in your title.
  • ETS trademarks should always be spelled and capitalized exactly as shown on the List of ETS Trademarks and should never be shortened, abbreviated or combined with other names. Never create new names that contain ETS trademarks.
  • ETS trademarks should not be displayed in "long-form", i.e. "Test of English as a Foreign Language" for TOEFL or "Test of English for International Communication" for TOEIC.
  • The first and most prominent time any ETS trademark appears in the text on your material(s), use the appropriate registry symbol (®, ). In addition, notice of ETS' ownership of the trademark(s) should appear on your material(s) in a legible print size and color so that it is easily read by the consumer. Please use one of the following formats, as applicable:
    • For registered trademarks, please use the following language:
      • [insert appropriate trademark] is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS.
    • For unregistered trademarks, please use the following language:
      • [insert appropriate trademark] is a trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS.

Special Information for Publication Titles, Websites or Mobile Apps that Contain ETS Trademarks

  • The title should clearly identify the product or service.
  • All letters and characters in the title should be capitalized, in plain block font and in one color ink. Letters or characters should not be stretched or distorted and should appear to be the same height, width and thickness. The entire title should run either vertically or horizontally, e.g.,
    • Correct: XYZ COMPANY PREPARATION FOR THE TOEFL® TEST. [title]
    • Not Correct: TOEFL® TEST PREPARATION GUIDE. [title]
  • An ETS trademark, its registry symbol and an appropriate generic term should appear on the same line in the title. For websites, each webpage should display the registry symbol after the first and most prominent use of the trademark.
  • When an ETS trademark is used in a title, the background behind the title should be a solid color. If there is a pattern background on your product, the title can be placed in a box in order to create a solid background behind the title.
  • When you reference ETS trademarks, notice of ETS’ ownership of the trademarks should appear on the front cover of publications or materials, opening or welcome screens of mobile apps, and at the bottom of each webpage in a legible print size and color so that it is easily read by the consumer. Please use one of the following formats, as applicable:
    • For registered trademarks, please use the following language:
      • [insert appropriate trademark] is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS.
    • For unregistered trademarks, please use the following language:
      • [insert appropriate trademark] is a trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS.

Note: Publishers are expected to take responsibility to ensure that their authors, editors, licensees and/or sub-contractors are in compliance with these Guidelines as well as with applicable copyright and trademark laws.

Importantly, ETS copyrighted material cannot be used without permission.

Trademark Review and Approval

Please send an electronic color copy of your proposed material, including the front and back cover and the spine in a .pdf or .jpg format, and an English translation of all foreign characters to trademarks@ets.org.

If electronic copies are not available, please send a color hard copy and its corresponding English translation to:

Educational Testing Service
c/o Trademark Administrator
660 Rosedale Road, Mail Stop 05-J
Princeton, NJ 08541
USA

Please plan in advance. Response time is approximately ten (10) business days.

These Guidelines are not meant to be an exhaustive list of instructions and are subject to revisions from time to time.

Last Updated on May 1, 2020.