How to Use Twitter’s New Logos & TM – Do’s & Dont’s

Twitter Trademark and Content Display Policy

Twitter has announced a new policy designed to help you use the brand and assets, including their logo, content and trademarks without having to worry about negotiating a separate agreement with Twitter or talking to their lawyers. If you’d like to make any use of Twitter’s marks that is not covered by this document, you must contact trademarks at twitter.com and include a visual mockup of intended use.

Using the Twitter brand and trademarks

Twitter’s marks include, but are not limited to, the Twitter name, logo, Tweet, Twitter bird, and any word, phrase, image, or other designation that identifies the source or origin of any of Twitter’s products.

Do not modify or alter the marks or use them in a confusing way, including suggesting sponsorship or endorsement by Twitter, or in a way that confuses Twitter with another brand.

To Download Twitter’s new logos for free click here now.

Usage guidelines

Do:

• Use our official, unmodified Twitter bird to represent our brand.
• Make sure the bird faces right.
• Allow for at least 150% buffer space around the bird.

Don’t:

• Use speech bubbles or words around the bird.
• Rotate or change the direction of the bird.
• Animate the bird.
• Duplicate the bird.
• Change the color of the bird.
• Use any other marks or logos to represent our brand.

 

You can promote your Twitter account using the following “share” icons

Do:

• Use one of the Twitter buttons as a link to your account online.
• Use one of the Twitter bird logos with your @username nearby in print.
• Write out Follow us on Twitter with your @username nearby when you’re unable to show the Twitter bird.

Don’t:

• Manipulate the Twitter bird.
• Use any other artwork from our site, such as the verified badge.
• Create your own buttons or images using our logos unless technically necessary, such as in signature bars. If you do, use this resized version of the Twitter bird.

When using the Twitter brand in advertising or marketing materials:

Do:

• Use the Twitter bird to show that your product or device is compatible with Twitter.
• Show the Twitter bird in front of your #hashtag or @username the same size as the text.
• Make sure that if mentioning “Tweet,” you include a direct reference to Twitter (for instance, “Tweet with Twitter”) or display the Twitter brand or trademarks with the mention of “Tweet.”

See the section regarding Displaying Tweets and other content from Twitter if using Tweets or building a microsite.

Don’t:

• Display the Twitter brand or trademarks larger than your own marks.
• Use the Twitter brand or Tweet mark to refer to any service other than Twitter.

 

Twitter does not generally permit use of the logo on merchandise and manufactured items

Do:

• Use the Twitter bird on your product packaging with your @username to let customers know you’re on Twitter. The Twitter bird should be the same size as your @username and should not be larger than your own branding.

Don’t:

• Use the Twitter name, the Twitter bird, Tweet, or any other confusingly similar marks on any apparel, product, toy, or any other merchandise.

 

You would think that it would be common sense that you can’t name applications, products, or domains, but Twitter spells it out for you:

Do:

• Name your website, product, or application with something unique.

Don’t:

• Use Twitter in the name of your website, application or product.
• Use just “Tweet” or “Tweet” with a simple letter or number combination (for example, 1Tweet, Tweet, Tweets).
• Register a domain containing twitter, misspellings, transliterations or similar variations thereof.
• Apply for a trademark with a name including Twitter, Tweet, the Twitter bird, transliterations or similar variations thereof.
• Use Tweet in the name of your application if used with any other service.

 

Twitter also encourages you to be original in your visual design of your website or application

Do:

• Design your site with unique branding and logos.

Don’t:

• Copy our look and feel, as this could create user confusion.

 

What’s surprising is that they encourage you to write Books or publications about Twitter:

Do:

• Make sure the title of your book or publication makes clear that it’s about Twitter, and not by Twitter. For example, “Learning how to ‘X’ on Twitter” is appropriate, whereas “The Twitter guide to ‘X'” is not.
• See the section regarding using content from Twitter if displaying Tweets.

Don’t:

• Use the Twitter Bird on your cover or in your title.
• Use the word Tweet to refer to services other than Twitter.

 

For more information about displaying Tweets and other Twitter content i.e.

When showing a Tweet online, offline, or in broadcast, you shouldn’t confuse users by including actions from other social platforms. Any Tweets displayed must be real, from real accounts, and in some cases as listed below, approved by the author, click here.

 

Some other things to know about the Twitter trademarks

• Twitter does not want you to use the Twitter marks in your avatar or the background of your Twitter page.
• Twitter would also like you to remember to capitalize the T in Twitter and Tweet.

By using the Twitter marks you agree to follow the above as well as Twitter’s Terms of Service and all Twitter rules and policies. Twitter reserves the right to cancel, modify, or change the permission in these policies at any time at its sole discretion. For further information about the use of Twitter’s name and trademarks, please contact trademarks at twitter.com.

I find it interesting that Twitter seems to be consolidating its branding. Think about the many manifestations brands like Coke-A-Cola, Adidas and Google have gone through over the years (or even weekly in Google’s case) and how we still manage to recognize them.

I feel as though Twitter has become such an icon that it is recognizable in almost any of its forms, even those which others like to manipulate and represent in visual satire.

What do you think of Twitter’s new rules and regulations?

Do you think Twitter has become too sensitive or is it best practice branding to keep things consistent and centrally-controlled?

 

Curated by Natalee-Jewel Kirby