What are the requirements for using a word mark with BIMI?

Summary

Using a word mark with BIMI requires a registered trademark, either a word mark or a logo, with a government trademark office. While some suggest word marks can be simpler and have been allowed for some time, registration and good standing are crucial.

Key findings

  • Trademark Requirement: A registered trademark is a prerequisite for BIMI.
  • Word Mark or Logo: Either a word mark or a logo design can be used.
  • Registration is Key: The trademark must be officially registered with a government trademark office.

Key considerations

  • Trademark Status: Verify that the trademark is active and in good standing.
  • Wordmark Simplicity: A word mark's registration may be simpler, but it must still be registered.
  • No Game Changer: The ability to use wordmarks in BIMI isn't new.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

To use a word mark with BIMI, a registered trademark is essential. The trademark can be the word mark itself or a design logo, but registration is a prerequisite. Ensure the trademark is valid and in good standing.

Key opinions

  • Trademark Required: BIMI requires a registered trademark to display a logo.
  • Word Mark Accepted: A word mark can be used as a BIMI logo.
  • Must be Registered: The word mark must be officially registered with a trademark office.

Key considerations

  • Registration Status: Confirm the trademark is active and in good standing.
  • Design Restrictions: Ensure word marks used do not contain any design elements if following Email Geek's suggestion.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that you can use a word mark in BIMI as long as it has no design and that the wordmark allowance has been there since day 1. Registration is literally just the word.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that AWeber has been using a wordmark trademark with BIMI. Many places have their company names trademarked already, very few have their full logo design trademarked.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Twilio SendGrid details that BIMI requires a registered trademark for your brand’s logo. The trademark can be either the wordmark or a design-based logo.

January 2025 - Twilio SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that to use BIMI, you need a registered trademark for the logo you want to display. This can be a wordmark or a visual logo, but registration is essential.

February 2025 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus responds that using BIMI requires a registered trademark, which could be your company's wordmark or logo. This validates the brand identity in email communications.

December 2024 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost explains that to utilize BIMI, a registered trademark is essential. This can include a wordmark or a visual logo design. It's important to verify the trademark's standing.

November 2021 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from ZeroBounce responds that BIMI requires a registered trademark for the logo you use, and it could either be a wordmark or a logo. Ensure that the trademark is active and officially registered.

April 2021 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view

Email marketer from Valimail shares that BIMI requires a valid trademark to display your logo. The trademark can be a wordmark or a design. The key is that it must be registered.

August 2022 - Valimail
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that a registered trademark is a prerequisite for BIMI. This can be a word mark or a logo, ensuring brand authenticity and protection.

January 2022 - Mailjet

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

To utilize a word mark with BIMI, a registered trademark is required. While it's been an existing option, using a registered trademark (wordmark or logo) is essential for brand validity and providing a clear visual indicator.

Key opinions

  • Trademark Requirement: A registered trademark is necessary for BIMI implementation.
  • Word Mark or Logo: Both word marks and logos can be used, provided they are registered.
  • Brand Validity: Using a registered trademark enhances brand validity and recognition.

Key considerations

  • Trademark Registration: Ensure the word mark or logo is officially registered with the appropriate authority.
  • Existing Option: Wordmark support with BIMI isn't a new or "game changing" feature
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource explains that you need a registered trademark (either a wordmark or a logo) to display your logo using BIMI. This ensures brand validity and provides a consistent visual indicator to email recipients.

March 2021 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that they are not sure why the change is game changing as it’s always been allowed.

August 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

The consensus among documentation sources is that using a word mark with BIMI necessitates a registered trademark. This trademark can be either a word mark or a design mark, but it must be officially registered and in good standing with a government trademark office. Verifying the trademark's active status is also emphasized.

Key findings

  • Registered Trademark Required: BIMI requires a registered trademark for both word marks and design marks.
  • Word Mark Option: A word mark can be used as the logo in BIMI.
  • Official Registration: The trademark must be officially registered with a government trademark office.

Key considerations

  • Trademark Status: Verify that the trademark is active and in good standing.
  • Government Office: Ensure the trademark is registered with a recognized government trademark office.
Technical article

Documentation from Red Sift explains that BIMI allows the use of a registered trademark as a logo, which can be a word mark or a design mark. The trademark must be registered and in good standing with a government trademark office.

November 2021 - Red Sift
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint answers that BIMI requires a registered trademark. This trademark can be a word mark or a logo, but must be officially registered with a trademark office.

November 2024 - Proofpoint
Technical article

Documentation from DigiCert responds that BIMI requires a registered trademark, which can be a word mark or a design mark. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring the trademark is active and verifiable with the respective trademark office.

May 2024 - DigiCert
Technical article

Documentation from BIMI Group explains that to use BIMI, a registered trademark is needed. It specifies that a word mark or a design mark can be used as long as it's officially registered.

April 2021 - BIMI Group
Technical article

Documentation from Entrust details that BIMI implementation necessitates a registered trademark. Either a word mark or a logo design can be used, provided they are officially registered and in good standing.

February 2023 - Entrust