FAQ: BlackBerry is Spelt with Two Capital “B”s & More

RIM has always been a bit of a hard @$$ about other companies using their trademarks. Even their own partners are subjected to a whole slew of rules and restrictions about how to use these trademarks. I guess they are required to maintain the brand identity and protect it from dilution, but I thought I would share some of them with you. It also lays the issue to rest that BlackBerry is spelled with two capital “B”s.

Keep in mind these come directly from RIM…

  • BlackBerry is spelt with two capital “B”s
    • That means BlackBerry instead of Blackberry
  • BlackBerry can NEVER be abbreviated to BB or Berry or BBerry
    • Guilty as charged… Good thing we are not a RIM partner 🙂
  • Devices must be shown in full. Nothing is allowed to cover any part of the image.
    • Seriously RIM? This one is a bit ridiculous even by your standards.
  • BlackBerry should always be used as an adjective, a describing word, not a noun or a verb
    • I guess this is to protect their brand. They are also sticklers about calling it the BlackBerry Smartphone not just a BlackBerry
    • Keep in mind that BlackBerrys, BlackBerries, & BlackBerry’s are also considered unacceptable. You must call them BlackBerry smartphones… 🙂
  • Research In Motion is always spelt with a capital R, I, & M
  • The names of BlackBerry products cannot be translated
    • This is because RIM only owns the trademarks to the full product names in English
  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server & BlackBerry Internet Service may never be abbreviated to BES or BIS
    • Guilty as charged once again…
  • Official device colors cannot be changed in images
    • Take that Photoshop!
  • Third parties are not allowed to use BlackBerry in their top level domains
    • Makes me wonder how other websites with the term BlackBerry in their domain get away with it…

Oh, and I left my favorite two for last:

  • Use of variations, abbreviations or takeoffs
    • It is not permissible to use a variation, abbreviation or takeoff of a RIM Trademark. For example, “BlackBerries”, “BB” and “Crackberry” are not acceptable uses with reference to any products or services of RIM.
  • Harmful use
    • Your use of RIM Trademarks must not be obscene, disparaging, defamatory or libelous to RIM or any other person.

You can read more at RIM’s trademark page

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