Frequently Asked Questions on Use of Harvard's Name

"Harvard University" is one of the most widely known and respected trademarks in the world. 

Just as the University prevents the unauthorized use of its name by third parties worldwide, there is also a need to ensure that use of the Harvard name and insignia by the University community is accurate and appropriate, and only in instances where there is institutional accountability. This concern prompted adoption of a new "Use-of-Name" policy by the Corporation in 1998 along with subsequent name related policies and guidelines.

The Use-of-Name policy changed the default assumption that many members of the Harvard community had prior to its adoption. Under the new policy, an activity can only be labeled as the “Harvard Project on XYZ" or the “Harvard Study of ABC" or anything similar under certain specific circumstances and only with advance permission of the Provost. In general, the most suitable name will often be in the form of "The Project on X at the Harvard School of Y," rather than "The Harvard Project on X." The Harvard Trademark Program is happy to work with members of the community to come up with the most appropriate name for any Harvard or Harvard School-based activity, group, unit, etc.

In general, using "Harvard" (by itself) in the name of an activity is appropriate when:

1. The program or activity is university-wide, meaning its structure and governance has substantial faculty involvement from faculty from at least three separate schools

   AND

2. It has institutional accountability in that it reports formally to university-wide officers, such as the President or Provost or a group of Deans from several Faculties.

   AND

3. There are not significant issues of confusion with the names of activities elsewhere in the University. (For example, the “Harvard Project on Government" or the “Harvard Health Project" would raise concerns of this nature, since there are many activities at the University related to health or government.)

It is important to note that participation does not equal governance. Although an activity might have participation from Harvard community members across many Harvard Schools and units, in order to meet criteria 1 and 2 and qualify as a University-wide activity, the structure and governance must be University-wide. 

The most appropriate name for any activity will refer to the school, unit, or department at which it is based. 

Example: "Project on Water Pollution at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health or “Animal Law and Policy Program at Harvard Law School.” When an activity seems to be University-wide but does not quite meet all the criteria listed in Question 2, the Trademark Program may approve an “at Harvard” designation, such as "Project ABC at Harvard University."  

It is also important to note that an “at Harvard” designation (e.g., “ABC Center at Harvard University”) is not interchangeable with a University-wide “Harvard” designation (e.g. “Harvard ABC Center”) and units should take special care to represent their approved name accurately in all contexts.

Although it may seem convenient in some cases, ease of use or shortness of the name are not sufficient causes for an activity to use "Harvard" alone as part of a name or to receive approval for the use of a third-level harvard.edu domain name (e.g., ABC.harvard.edu).

Any acronym or short form of an activity name should accurately reflect the approved name of an activity and should not inaccurately represent its affiliation. For example, the “Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics” could use the short forms “HMS Center for Bioethics,” “Center for Bioethics,” “HMSCB”. The Center would not be able to use “Harvard Center for Bioethics” or “HCB,” as these short forms inaccurately represent the Center as a University-wide activity. 

Hybrid acronyms in which “Harvard” alone is spelled out in full while other portions of the name are abbreviated (e.g., “Harvard ABC”), are not supported by University policy and may not be used.

All University activities must meet specific standards to be considered University-wide (see Question 2). Therefore, in order to use the name “Harvard” alone, any new project, program, or activity must independently meet the same standards. 

In most cases, the governance of new projects created by University-wide activities rests within that University-wide activity. Therefore, the name of the new project should reference the name of that University-wide activity, rather than using a general “Harvard” designation.

In other words, when a University-wide activity creates a new program, that new program is not automatically, in and of itself, University-wide, and does not automatically warrant the use of a general “Harvard” in the name.

For example, say there is a University-wide activity called the Harvard Knitting Initiative and this initiative wants to create a new program on crochet. When naming the new program, the Harvard Knitting Initiative will need to choose a name that incorporates the Initiative’s full name, since the initiative is the program’s parent activity. For example, the program could be called something like “Harvard Knitting Initiative Program on Crochet” or “Crochet Program at the Harvard Knitting Initiative.” Policy, however, would not support a name like “Harvard Program on Crochet” or “Harvard Crochet Initiative" which inaccurately suggest that the crochet program itself is University-wide.

The full policy on the Use of Harvard Names and Insignias in Electronic Contexts can be found here.

In general, the same standards are followed when creating domain names and email addresses as when creating activity names. If a project is University-wide, it could be positioned on a third-level "harvard.edu" domain (e.g., ABCcenter.harvard.edu). If it is based at a school or unit, it should be positioned as a sub-domain of the School or unit website (e.g., ABCcenter.law.harvard.edu or law.harvard.edu/ABCcenter).

Domains and email addresses should not be confusingly similar to the domain or email address of another activity at the University. Activities that are positioned on @harvard.edu email aliases should include some indication of the department, unit, or office that owns the activity (e.g., HUIT_communications@​harvard.edu or trademark_useofname@harvard.edu)

In most cases, the appropriate domain for websites related to Harvard activities will be a “harvard.edu" domain. The use of a domain name with any extension other than ".edu" (e.g., .com, .org, .info) to host a website devoted to a Harvard-affiliated project or activity or as a pointer to a Harvard website are approved only in cases when an unusual, specific need can be demonstrated. Advance written permission must also be obtained from the Trademark Program and from the relevant Dean’s office or University administrator.

In some cases, general domains (i.e., "international.harvard.edu" or "environment.harvard.edu") have been approved as a "portal", with links to the websites of all major activities in an area across the university.

There is no provision in the Use-of-Name Policy that automatically approves all historical representations (names or logos). The initial review of existing representations at the time the Use-of-Name Policy was adopted was left to the Deans of each Faculty and since that time some names and logos have been changed to comply with current policy. 

Longer-term, the practice has been to permit representations that were established prior to the implementation of the Use-of-Name Policy in 1998 and have been in continuous use since that time.   However, all representations, including those adopted after 1998, must be brought into compliance with current policy when: 1) the name or logo has not been in continuous use, or 2) there is any change or update to a name or logo. 

For example, a student group that has used the Harvard name on its own, but now wishes to change its name, would no longer be permitted to use the unqualified Harvard name. Instead, the current policy would require the student group to accurately identify its relationship with the relevant School and, if needed, adopt an appropriate logo. 

These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with the Dean's designees at each School or, in the case of units, with the appropriate unit administrators. 

The same guidelines apply to using Harvard shields, insignia, and logos as to Harvard names. The shield or logo used for an activity should accurately reflect the School or unit that the activity is affiliated with, and approval should come from the appropriate Dean. For example, a University-wide activity may be represented by way of the Harvard Veritas shield if it meets the criteria for being University-wide and has been approved as such by the Provost. Alternatively, a Harvard Medical School activity should be represented with the Harvard Medical School shield specifically, with permission from Medical School Dean. 

For more information on creating a new logo for your activity or organization, please see the Guidelines for the Creation of a New Shield Design or Logo by Harvard Departments, Units, and Officially Recognized Organizations for Themselves or Their Activities.

Harvard units should represent themselves on their own websites, publications, etc. using a shield or logo that accurately represents their affiliation with the University. For example, a Harvard T.H. Chan School pamphlet should use the Harvard T.H. Chan School shield specifically, rather than the general Harvard Veritas shield. 

The use of any Harvard names or insignia on any third-party websites must be reviewed and approved by the Harvard Trademark Program on a case-by-case basis. This applies to all non-Harvard entities, including businesses, non-profits, and organizations, and also applies in cases where a relationship exists between a Harvard unit and a third party. This is to ensure that any representation is consistent with the University’s policies on accurate representation and non-endorsement.

The University has specific rules for its schools and units wishing to order insignia products or “Swag” items. These products must be ordered from licensed vendors, they must meet certain design criteria, and they must be approved by the appropriate parties. 

For the full process, please see the Guidelines for Ordering Internal Insignia Items (“SWAG”) for Harvard Schools, Departments, Units, and Officially Recognized Student Organizations and Affiliates.

While we understand why Harvard alumni would want to proudly display the Harvard name and relevant Harvard shield on a personal or business website, such use is not permitted since Harvard reserves the use of its trademarks (names and shields/logos) for its own purposes. 

With that being said, Harvard alumni may certainly list their Harvard degree/affiliation in a biographical section on the website or other locations and make other such “fair use” descriptive and factual statements about their degree from Harvard, but no shields or logos may be used. 

The Harvard name and logo may never be used to imply any affiliation with or endorsement by Harvard, and alumni cannot use Harvard’s name as part of any commercial activity, business promotion, or other such purposes, even if those companies were the result of ideas that started at Harvard. Alumni also may not use any Harvard shields or insignia.

Names for student organizations that include the Harvard name or any other Harvard trademarks are used by permission of the University and, as a result, are subject to the standard of accurate representation which states that, “The University and its members have a responsibility to ensure that any implied association with the University [through the use of the Harvard name] is accurate.” 

Before creating a name for a new student organization (or changing the name of an existing one), students should consult with their School’s student organization administrator or comparable student activities officer in order to ensure that the resulting name is in accord with the standard of accurate representation and any supplemental guidelines and student group naming conventions the school may have in place for the naming of student organizations.

The University’s standard trademark language should be included in any agreement between Harvard and a third-party. This language was developed specifically to protect the University’s name and trademarks. Any departure from this language must be vetted by both the Office of General Counsel and the Harvard Trademark Program.

The intent of this language is not to prevent third parties from factually referencing their relationship with the University – it simply protects Harvard from any third-party using the “Harvard Names” without express permission and also requires that any representations that veer from what is permitted in the Agreement be reviewed by the Harvard Trademark Program to ensure that it is consistent with Harvard’s use-of-name policies and guidelines.

For a copy of the University's standard trademark language for contracts, please contact the Harvard Trademark Program.

When representing yourself and your affiliation with the University in relation to any outside activity, the reference should be consistent with the University’s standards of accurate representation and non-endorsement.  In practice, this means that Harvard community members should assure that when it is mentioned, the Harvard name is used in a manner that does not imply University endorsement or responsibility for the particular activity, product, or publication involved, and does not suggest that you are speaking or acting on behalf of the University.

Harvard policy does not allow the use of a Harvard title while engaging in activities on behalf of a third-party, or in a manner intended to capitalize on the Harvard name.  If you are employed or otherwise working for an outside entity, you should always represent yourself by way of your position with that entity (e.g., “Jane Doe, Founder of Company” or “John Smith, affiliated researcher”) whenever you are working on their behalf or representing them in any form. This includes how you list your primary title on the entity’s website, marketing activities, solicitations, and press releases.  The only context in which you should reference your Harvard affiliation is in a factual, designated biographical section of the third-party’s materials in a manner that does not emphasize the Harvard affiliation.  This reference must be limited to an accurate and specific description of your title and may not include a Harvard shield or logo.  Contact information should also be limited to a personal email address or an email address affiliated with that third-party, rather than any “@harvard.edu” email address.

There are specific University policies related to partisan political activities, or to statements that could be construed as coming from the University, as described in the Report on Institutional Voice in the University.  These detail some further limitations on the use of a Harvard title in specific circumstances. 

There are many types of relationships between Harvard units and outside parties, and in some cases those parties might want to be represented on a Harvard website, publication, etc. by way of their logo. For example, they might sponsor a Harvard activity, they might be a preferred vendor, or they could be a collaborator on mission-related content.

The use of any third-party names or logos in relation to a Harvard activity, website, publication, etc. must be reviewed and approved by the Harvard Trademark Program on a case-by-case basis. This applies to all non-Harvard entities, including businesses, non-profits, and organizations, and also applies in cases where a relationship exists between a Harvard unit and the third party. This is to ensure that any representation is consistent with the University’s policies on accurate representation and non-endorsement.

Harvard does not endorse, either expressly or implicitly, the products or services of external parties, including those that have transactional relationships with the University. The University also, understandably, reserves the use of the Harvard name and insignia for its own purposes, and not for the promotional or marketing purposes of outside entities. 

Actions that endorse a third party, such as testimonials, references, and case studies, are not permitted by University policy. Although a particular action might not seem like an endorsement, from a policy perspective, even a strictly factual statement (like using a Harvard affiliate’s title, or a statement that a Harvard unit is a customer of the company) becomes an implied endorsement when it is positioned in a promotional context, such as third-party sales and marketing materials or activities.

Disclaimers do not mitigate the implied endorsement of these actions. A disclaimer should only be used in conjunction with, and not in place of, accurate, non-promotional representations that are supported by policy, and the conditions for using the Harvard name still apply even if a disclaimer is used. 

You are free, of course, to provide an endorsement in your personal capacity as an individual, and not on behalf of Harvard. If you choose to do so, the Harvard name cannot be used in any context related to the endorsement, as it would imply a University endorsement of that third-party and their product or service. You should not reference your affiliation with the University, or use the Harvard name more generally, in either your comments or your introduction. Instead of using your Harvard title or affiliation, you will want to use your professional, field-related credentials only (e.g., “Jane Doe, Director of IT Service Management” or “John Smith, graduate student in biochemistry”). In a similar manner, descriptions of Harvard Schools and units should be generalized to avoid the use of the Harvard name, such as using “our University’s Business School” as opposed to “Harvard Business School.”

If you have any questions about whether a particular action might be considered an endorsement, or if you think that a factual statement might be appropriate in some context, please contact the Harvard Trademark Program so they can work with you in determining the best course of action.

We recognize that there are many different types of relationships – partnerships, collaborations, memberships, vendor relationships, sponsorships, and more. The University defines these relationships very specifically, and the ways in which that outside entity can use the Harvard name and logo will depend on the type of relationship that exists between the parties. 

As a result, the use of any Harvard names or logos by outside entities must be reviewed and approved by the Harvard Trademark Program on a case-by-case basis. 

When submitting requests to the Harvard Trademark Program, we will need to know the type of relationship, as well as a description, a mockup, or draft of how the Harvard name or insignia will be used. For any collaborations, please also send a copy of any agreements that exist between the parties.

Please note that typically, vendors are only permitted to reference their relationship with the University in a comprehensive list of their company’s clients, provided that list meets certain criteria. The list should include the name of the specific School or unit with which it has a relationship (with no logo), and the name must be included in a manner that is not more prominent than the other names in the list. The list itself must be clearly identified as a client/customer list in a factual, non-promotional manner.

Questions regarding the University’s use-of-name policies and the application of those policies to the use of the Harvard name and insignia should be submitted in writing to the Harvard Trademark Program at trademark_useofname@harvard.edu. In addition, each school has one (and in a few cases more than one) representative designated as a liaison for questions regarding the use of the school’s name and insignia by faculty, staff and students within that school. Those contacts are listed here.