Does a VMC SVG logo need to exactly match a trademarked logo?

11 Marketer opinions 1 Expert opinion 3 Technical articles 2 Resources

Summary

The general consensus across various sources, including email marketers, experts, and official documentation, emphasizes that a VMC (Verified Mark Certificate) SVG logo should closely, if not exactly, match the registered trademark. Certificate Authorities (CAs) rigorously validate logos, so even slight variations can be risky. Color might be an exception if it isn't explicitly part of the trademark. The specifics of the trademark description and the requirements of the trademark authority play crucial roles in determining acceptable variations.

Key findings

Exact Match is Key: Most sources advise that the VMC SVG logo should be an exact replica of the registered trademark.
CA Validation is Strict: Certificate Authorities (CAs) perform thorough validations, increasing the risk associated with logo variations.
Color Flexibility: There might be some leniency with color if it isn't a defined characteristic of the trademark.
Trademark Authority Matters: The specific requirements of the relevant trademark authority must be closely followed.

Key considerations

Review Trademark Details: Thoroughly examine the trademark documentation, paying attention to the mark's description, to identify potential areas for variation.
Understand CA Guidelines: Become familiar with the validation guidelines of the specific Certificate Authority that will be issuing the VMC.
Assess Risk Tolerance: Acknowledge that even what seems like a minor variation carries some risk of rejection by the CA.
Consider Regional Differences: Keep in mind that trademark regulations can vary across different regions, influencing validation criteria.
Registered Trademark is Required: A registered trademark with a government trademark authority is essential for VMC eligibility.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

The consensus among email marketers and experts is that a VMC SVG logo should closely, if not exactly, match the trademarked logo. While some flexibility may exist regarding aspects not explicitly defined in the trademark (like background color), variations are generally discouraged due to strict validation processes by Certificate Authorities. The specifics of the trademark documentation, especially concerning color, and the requirements of the relevant trademark authority are critical factors.

Key opinions

Exact Match: Most sources suggest the VMC SVG logo should be an exact match to the registered trademark.
CA Validation: Certificate Authorities (CAs) rigorously validate the logo, making even slight variations risky.
Color Considerations: Color might be flexible if it's not a defined feature of the trademark.
Trademark Authority: Specific requirements vary by trademark authority, necessitating careful review.

Key considerations

Trademark Documentation: Carefully review trademark documentation, particularly the description of the mark, to determine permissible variations.
CA Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the specific validation guidelines of the Certificate Authority you choose.
Risk Tolerance: Understand that even seemingly minor variations carry some risk of rejection by the CA.
Regional Differences: Trademark regulations and enforcement may differ across regions, impacting validation criteria.

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks says that if the background color wasn't part of the trademark description, you can change it. Also that it depends on the description of the trademark in the USPTO document

March 2022 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Twitter explains the VMC logo should be the spitting image of your trademark.

March 2024 - Twitter

Marketer view

Email marketer from Entrust indicates that the Certificate Authority (CA) validates that the logo displayed is a registered trademark, and that the SVG version of the logo complies with the CA's validation guidelines

July 2023 - Entrust

Marketer view

Email marketer from Comodo SSL Store shares that the logo used for a VMC must exactly match the trademarked logo on file with the appropriate trademark office. Slight variations are not permitted.

June 2024 - Comodo SSL Store

Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow writes that based on their experience, the VMC logo should appear as close to the official trademarked logo as possible to avoid rejection during the verification process.

May 2021 - StackOverflow

Marketer view

Email marketer from Namecheap responds that the logo in the SVG file should be the exact match of your trademarked logo.

August 2024 - Namecheap

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that for Verified Mark Certificates, the SVG logo needs to match the trademarked logo exactly, but color is usually not important unless color is specifically part of the trademark.

October 2022 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that the logo needs to be exactly as it is registered in the trademark office. They emphasize checking the specific requirements of the trademark authority in your region.

January 2025 - Reddit

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that in their experience color isn’t typically in the logo mark documentation so CAs can validate the variation.

August 2021 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from LinkedIn shares that you should exactly reproduce the logo as trademarked when creating the SVG version to get VMC.

January 2025 - linkedin.com

Marketer view

Email marketer from emailmarketingforum.com shares a personal opinion that even small variations to the VMC logo compared to your trademarked logo is a gamble when CA auditors validate it.

November 2023 - emailmarketingforum.com

What the experts say
1Expert opinion

An expert from Spam Resource states that using a VMC requires the logo to be a registered trademark and the SVG version must visually match the registered trademark.

Key opinions

Registered Trademark: A registered trademark is a prerequisite for VMC usage.
Visual Match: The SVG logo needs to visually match the registered trademark.

Key considerations

Trademark Registration: Ensure the logo is officially registered with the appropriate trademark authority.
SVG Accuracy: Create the SVG logo to accurately reflect the registered trademark.

Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that to use a VMC, the logo must be a registered trademark and the SVG must visually match the registered trademark.

January 2022 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

DigiCert, Sectigo, and GlobalSign documentation all highlight the requirement that the SVG logo used for a VMC must precisely match the registered trademark with the relevant trademark authority. Furthermore, Sectigo specifies the trademark must be registered with a government authority.

Key findings

Exact Match Required: The VMC SVG logo must exactly match the registered trademark.
Registered Trademark: The logo must be a registered trademark with a government authority.
VMC Validation: VMC validation processes verify the match between the registered trademark and the SVG logo.

Key considerations

Trademark Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to trademark guidelines when creating the SVG logo.
Validation Process: Prepare for a validation process that will confirm the accuracy of the SVG logo against the registered trademark.
Government Authority: The trademark must be registered with a government trademark authority.

Technical article

Documentation from DigiCert states that to meet VMC requirements, the logo in your SVG file must exactly match the trademarked logo you registered with your trademark authority.

June 2024 - DigiCert

Technical article

Documentation from GlobalSign says that for VMC validation, the registered trademark image must match the SVG logo submitted.

December 2023 - GlobalSign

Technical article

Documentation from Sectigo explains that one of the requirements for VMCs is that your logo must be a registered trademark with a government trademark authority.

February 2024 - Sectigo