This document outlines the policy for allowed usage of the "Nerves" word and the Nerves logo by other parties.

"Nerves" and the Nerves logo are trademarks of the Nerves Project Authors. The Nerves Project Authors believe in a decentralized approach to growing the community and the ecosystem, independent of the Nerves Project and the Nerves Project Authors.

Anyone can use the Nerves trademarks if that use of the trademark is nominative. The trademarks must not be used to disparage the project and its community, nor be used in any way to imply ownership, endorsement, or association with the Nerves Project and the Nerves Project Authors.

You must not visually combine the Nerves logo with any other images, or change the logo in any way other than ways required by printing restrictions. If you want to create your own visual identity in relation to Nerves, you might use the shape of an unrelated "N" as part of your design, as seen in many community projects and initiatives. You must not combine or modify the Nerves logo.

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Nominative use

The “nominative use” (or “nominative fair use”) is a legal doctrine that authorizes everyone (even commercial companies) to use or refer to the trademark of another if:

• The product or service in question must be one not readily identifiable without use of the trademark.
• Only so much of the mark or marks may be used as is reasonably necessary to identify the product or service.
• The organization using the mark must do nothing that would, in conjunction with the mark, suggest sponsorship or endorsement by the trademark holder.

Our trademarks must be used to refer to the Nerves project.

Examples of permitted use

All examples listed next must strictly adhere to the terms outlined in the previous sections:

• Usage of the Nerves logo to say a technology is “powered by Nerves” or “built with Nerves” under nominative use. Linking back to the Nerves website, if possible, is appreciated.
• Usage of the Nerves logo to display it as a supported technology in a service, platform, or hardware device. For instance, you may say “we support Nerves” and use the Nerves logo, but you may not refer to yourself as “the Nerves platform nor imply any form of endorsement or association with Nerves.
• Usage of the Nerves logo in non-commercial community meetups, in presentations, and in courses when referring to the language and its ecosystem under nominative use.
• Usage of the Nerves logo in non-commercial swag (stickers, t-shirts, mugs, etc) to promote the Nerves project. The Nerves marks must be the only marks featured in the product. You need permission to make swag that include Nerves and other third party marks in them.
• Inclusion of the Nerves logo in non-commercial icon sets. Use of the Nerves icons must still adhere to Nerves’s trademark policies.
• Usage of the “Nerves” word in book titles, meetups, conferences, and podcasts. You must not use the word to imply uniqueness or endorsement from the Nerves Project Authors. “The Nerves book” and “The Nerves podcast” are not permitted.
• Usage of the “Nerves” word in the names of freely distributed software and hardware products is allowed when referring to use with or suitability for the Nerves project. If the product includes the Nerves project itself, then you must also respect its license.

Examples of not permitted use

Here is a non-exhaustive list of non permitted uses of the marks:

• Usage of the Nerves logo in book covers, conferences, and podcasts.
• Usage of the Nerves logo as the mark of third party projects, even in combination with other marks.
• Naming any company or product after Nerves, such as “The Nerves Hosting”, “The Nerves Consultants”, etc.

Examples that require permission

Here are some examples that may be granted permission upon request:

• Selling merchandise (stickers, t-shirts, mugs, etc).

You can request permission by emailing trademarks@nerves-project.org.

Important note

Nothing in this page shall be interpreted to allow any third party to claim any association with the Nerves project and the Nerves Project Authors, or to imply any approval or support by the Nerves project and the Nerves Project Authors for any third party products, services, or events.