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Aalto University  is the trademark owner

The names and trademarks of Aalto University Foundation functioning as Aalto University (hereinafter also University) are valuable property of the University and should be used with care.

The nationally and internationally registered trademarks of Aalto University include: AALTO UNIVERSITY and its versions in different languages; AALTO, the registration of which is limited to use involving education or research activities, and AALTO when connected as a compound with other word stems that together are University trademarks in their various forms (for the list of registered trademarks applied for by Aalto University Foundation sr can be found by applicant name search at . The trademarks include wordmarks (such as AALTO UNIVERSITY) and logos (such as A!) as well as combinations of both a wordmark and a logo. In the present guidelines, 'logo' shall also be used when referring to trademarks.

Contact

 Aalto University Communications manages the trademark portfolio of the University, supported by Legal Services. All permission requests and contacts related to the trademarks should be sent to  to communications@aalto.fi. Licensing is handled by the Senior Manager,  Brand & Digital Experience, with the Communications Director, when necessary.

Guidelines for using logos 

Aalto University logos are part of the visual identity of the University. Take particular note of the following: 

• Use only up-to-date, unmodified logos. To obtain the current logos, go to the brand library at .
• The University logo may under no circumstances be used in activities involving party politics.
• In addition to these guidelines on trademarks, the Aalto University Code of Conduct and Aalto's 'Recommendations and guidelines on social media' must be followed.
• If a unit or project wishes to create a new logo, an application for it must be sent to Communications.
• Do not alter the spelling of a logo of the University or render it in possessive or plural form. Avoid using a trademark of the University as a common noun or as a verb.

If you need to express the ownership of a trademark, do so as in e.g. 'Aalto University Junior is a registered trademark of Aalto University'.

Using trademarks in the activities of the University 

The logos of the University may be used in unmodified form and without a separate permission for the educational, research and other activities of the University according to the provisions of the Universities Act (558/2009) and in accordance with the normal practices of the schools, departments, units and degree programmes.

Adding a University logo to products (to clothing items, for example) is prohibited without a separate, written permission from Communications. 

Events and networks

The dean of a school or the director of a unit may agree on the use of a logo at an event or in other cooperation if they have approved the participation of the University in the activity. This may be an activity of the kind where the University is an event organiser together with other organisations. 

The following are permitted to use the Aalto University name in their activities:

• Associations under the Aalto University Student Union AYY (

Societal interaction and Aalto University employees

If an employee participates as an expert in an activity related to societal impact, the use of the Aalto University name is permitted to indicate the person's employment relationship (e.g. Liisa Virtanen, Professor, Aalto University). Employees may not use University trademarks in their own business activities. 

Education collaboration 

The use of a logo of the University in educational collaborations is subject to agreements made in connection with the activities. Such use is approved by the party signing the agreement on the educational collaboration. 

In study projects carried out with a collaborative partner, a permission must be requested from Communications for communications matters other than the study project -related matters.

Research activities 

Jointly funded research projects: Aalto University logos may be used in the funding applications and in the project publicity and informational material when Aalto University is participating in the project.

Contract research: A permission must be requested from Communications for using an Aalto University logo in the marketing of a business.

Innovation activities

In the technology transfer agreement with the spin-out company it may be agreed, that spin-out company may state that the company originates from Aalto University and the technology was developed at Aalto University.

 If the spin-out company acts in a manner that violates the principles of Aalto University’s Code of Conduct for Partners, Aalto University has the right to prohibit this use of Aalto University name. This prohibition shall take effect upon Aalto notifying the company in writing. 

Use of an Aalto University logo always requires obtaining a prior permission from Communications.

Using 'Aalto University' as a reference 

 Use as a reference can generally mean one of two things: 

1. It can mean that a third party can mention in their marketing or other material that Aalto University uses the products or services that they offer 

2. It can mean that Aalto acts as a reference in a public tendering or bidding process. 

In the first case, using Aalto University as a public reference requires a permission from Communications. Communications permission is requested using this template  

 When granting the permission, the following criteria must be met:   

• Is the cooperation long-term, that is, lasting over one year? 

• Has the cooperation been or will it be of significant benefit to the University, for example, to the research of the unit involved? 

• How will the reference be made, for example, will it appear on a webpage with and in the same way as other organisations used as references (e.g. other university purchasers of the service)? 

When considering approval for a use of Aalto University as a reference, we strongly consider that Aalto’s reputation and brand are valuable property items of the University and their use can have a promotional or a detrimental effect on the University depending on how they are used. 
 
The second case, acting as a reference in a public tendering or bidding process is an exception to the above. For information on acting as a reference in a public tendering or bidding process, please see below. 

Aalto University acting as a reference in a public procurement 

Agreeing to accept requests to act as a reference in a public tendering or bidding process is encouraged to help other actors make informed decisions when acquiring new products or service through public tendering processes. It is good practice at Aalto University to do the same and thus, we must be ready to do the same in return.   

If the following rules are met, we can accept acting as a reference in public tendering or bidding process: 

1. We should be happy with the supplier AND  

   - the project is successfully completed OR  

   - we have one year successful collaboration in continuous services 

2. We can review the reference documents beforehand and can approve the final reference text  

3. The reference right (license) is limited to the tendering or bidding process it is requested for 

4. The contents of and reference itself is confidential 

5. Both product or service owner in Aalto AND the procurement team agree that we can act as a reference 

6. The reference usage terms are defined  in writing 

Terms of trademark use 

The terms  of a trademark  use are defined in writing,  specifying the length of the use and in what ways and in what media the use may occur (e.g. use of the logo on web pages, or mention of it in an individual project, etc.); in addition,  University always reserves the right to cancel the trademark permission. Terms are defined with this template

No refashioned logos, no modifications

The University logos may not be modified, and they may be refashioned only in exceptional cases in accordance with the communications strategy. If your unit wishes to create a new logo, you need to contact Communications and obtain approval.

Registration of new domain names

For registering a domain name, you must apply for a permission from Communications, so the domain can be registered as the property of the University. 

Reporting unauthorised use

Anyone who discovers that a trademark of the University is being used in breach of these guidelines is asked to report the matter by email to communications@aalto.fi.