2.2.9.1 Introduction

The Cochrane Collaboration logo is a registered trademark in Australia, Canada, the European Community, and the USA. The logo comprises the combination of the symbol and the name ‘THE COCHRANE COLLABORATION’ underneath. The formal registration of the logo means that it is a criminal offence for someone to use it without permission. In addition, because of The Cochrane Collaboration’s prolonged use of both the symbol and the name, we can exercise some control over their use and can probably stop people from using the symbol or the words on their own to imply an association with The Cochrane Collaboration, when such an association does not exist. To indicate that the logo has been officially registered, a small upper case ‘R’ with a circle drawn around it (i.e. ® - Control+Alt+R for Word users) can be added after the words ‘THE COCHRANE COLLABORATION’. It is illegal to insert this symbol on anything that has not been registered as a trademark (so it should not be used if, for example, the words ‘UK COCHRANE CENTRE’ appear under the symbol or if the symbol has been modified in any way).

The text below sets out The Cochrane Collaboration’s policy on the use of the logo (the symbol and phrases containing the word ‘Cochrane’) in connection with activities that might relate to the work of The Cochrane Collaboration.