USE OF NAME INQUIRIES
Questions
regarding MIT’s Use of Name policy should be sent via email
to the TLO at tlo-uon@mit.edu
or such questions can be addressed by calling the TLO at (617)
253-6966 and asking for the person responsible for Use of Name
inquiries.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS:
Where can I
get permission to film, videotape or take pictures on MIT property?
Why
do I need permission to use the term MIT in the naming of my
activity?
What
about names of web sites and other electronic uses?
What
are the appropriate uses of the MIT seal?
Does an MIT
student group need permission to produce items bearing the MIT
name and/or insignias?
How do I go
about producing a new logo for my MIT department, unit, or student
group?
May I use
the MIT name and insignias on business cards and stationery?
I am a faculty
member and was invited to write a blurb for a book. Are there
any guidelines I should follow?
I am a public relations
writer for a company that has a relationship with MIT. What
are the guidelines governing press releases?
What should
I do if I see an item that appears to use the MIT name or trademarks
improperly?
Where
can I get permission to film, videotape or take pictures on
MIT property?
MIT
attempts to cooperate with those who wish to film, photograph
or video tape on campus provided that such filming, photography
or videotaping does not interfere with the educational, scholarly
or administrative functions of the Institute.
Permission to film, photograph or video tape on campus
must be obtained from the Technology Licensing Office and the
MIT News Office. Permission
will often be limited to pictures of the exterior of the buildings
or facilities. Generally, filming,
photography or videotaping that is intended for educational
or public affairs use will be permitted (subject to logistical
and security concerns), while filming, photography or videotaping
for commercial or entertainment use will be subject to greater
scrutiny. MIT reserves the right
to restrict or deny use of the campus locations if such use
might be harmful to the reputation of MIT or its educational
purposes.
Requests
related to news, research, and documentaries, please contact
the MIT News Office.
All
non-news requests should be made to the Technology Licensing
Office. Specific contractual arrangements must be negotiated
in advance.
Why
do I need permission to use the term MIT in the naming of my
activity?
MIT
is internationally known for excellence in teaching, learning,
research, science and other activities.
The widely recognized MIT name and its associated seals,
marks, symbols, logos, and photographic images (together referred
to as “name and marks”) represent the high caliber of MIT’s
faculty and students and convey the quality and breadth of MIT’s
accomplishments. MIT’s name and
marks are among MIT’s most valuable assets.
Faculty, students and staff share in the benefits associated
with MIT’s name and marks, and therefore also share responsibilities
concerning their use.
What
about names of web sites and other electronic uses?
No
faculty, staff, alumnus, other volunteer or student may register
a domain name that incorporates the name "MIT" except in accordance
with university approved policies. Domain name registrations
incorporating the name "MIT" are the property of the Institute
and must be registered as such. Use
of the name "MIT" in any commercial website is prohibited.
With
rare exception, the text of MIT websites may not include the
names and marks of outside organizations or corporations anywhere
other than the acknowledgements page of the website. When such
names or marks are included, they must be standard (i.e. not
customized) and must be clearly identified as acknowledgements.
Such names and/or marks should link only to the home
page of the outside organization or corporation.
What are the appropriate uses
of the MIT seal?
Unlike the MIT
Logo, the MIT Seal should be used sparingly. The primary purpose
of the MIT Seal is to certify official Institute documents,
including diplomas, certificates, and official acts by the President
or Provost, and to graphically symbolize official association
with the Institute and its educational and research missions.
The Seal should not be modified, cut off, or combined with other
forms. Final authority for the use of the MIT Seal resides in
the Technology Licensing Office and the President’s Office.
Does an MIT student group need
permission to produce items bearing the MIT name and/or insignias?
Student and alumni
groups that have official MIT or MIT Alumni Association recognition,
and are registered as such, may use the MIT name in association
with their Institute-sanctioned activities. Use
of outside vendors to produce goods bearing the MIT name and/or
insignias must be approved the TLO.
How do I go about producing a
new logo for my MIT department, unit, or student group?
The MIT logo is the Institute's
official mark and represents all of MIT's departments and programs.
Some groups do have their own logo, or sub-brand, which is paired
with the MIT logo. To find out whether a sub-brand would be
appropriate for your department or program, contact the Publishing
Services Bureau at psb@mit.edu
or 258-9380.
May I use the MIT name and insignias
on business cards and stationery?
You may use the MIT name and
logo on official MIT business cards and stationery. To view
the official designs, visit http://web.mit.edu/ecat/ambitpress/.
I am a faculty member and was
invited to write a blurb for a book. Are there any guidelines
I should follow?
When
a faculty or staff member is involved in activities not directly
associated with MIT (e.g., independent consulting, other business
activities, publications, etc.), use of MIT's name and marks
is limited to identification of the individual by his or her
affiliation (e.g., Jane Smith, Professor of Biology,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Faculty members and others engaged in activities involving
business relationships with third parties may contact the TLO
for information and assistance on name use issues.
I am a public relations writer
for a company that has a relationship with MIT. What are the
guidelines governing press releases?
Professional
firms and vendors wishing to include MIT’s name in a list of
clients must obtain prior written consent from the TLO.
Notwithstanding
the above, it is standard practice in the construction industry
for contractors to send out press releases to industry journals
when they land a big contract. All
requests for such press releases by architects, contractors
and subcontractors on building and landscape projects should
be sent to MIT
Facilities for review.
All proposed press releases will be reviewed using a
list of criteria, including but not limited to confirming that
all facts are stated correctly and that no MIT endorsement is
implied. If the MIT Program Manager approves the press release,
he or she will submit it to the TLO for final approval.
Private
sponsors of research may not use MIT’s name without prior written
consent. MIT does not issue press
releases at the beginning of research projects, with few exceptions,
and MIT does not allow private sponsors to issue press releases
about MIT research programs or other activities except in rare
instances. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if a media relations office at MIT, such as the MIT News Office,
the MIT Sloan Media Relations Office, the Broad Institute or
a school’s or department’s communications officer wishes to
issue a press release in conjunction with the sponsor, such
press releases are generally allowed. When
such an exception is granted, the text of the press release
must be approved in advance by the Technology Licensing Office.
The TLO will review the press release to determine if
the relationship between the sponsor and MIT is accurately portrayed
and to confirm that the endorsement of the Sponsor or its products
or services is not stated or implied.
What
should I do if I see an item that appears to use the MIT name
or trademarks improperly?
Please
contact the Technology Licensing Office at 617-253-6966 or tlo-uon@mit.edu.
