HMRC brand abuse policy - Appendix A
Published 5 April 2018
© Crown copyright 2018
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/brand-abuse-policy/brand-abuse-policy-appendix-a
1. Accidental
The use of our logo/trademark that is seemingly innocent and the business/person is unaware of the infringement.
2. Logo placement
The infringement seems to be accidental, such as when HMRC’s logo is displayed on a ‘Useful Links’ page of a business’s website. While we welcome websites to link to GOV.UK, the use of our logo without permission breaches Crown copyright.
3. Indirect financial
The use of our logo/trademark to deliberately give a false association that means the business/person receives an indirect or direct financial gain, such as a tax agent using our logo and displaying that they are a ‘registered agent’ to give their customers a sense of creditability by association.
4. Unauthorised association
The infringement is displaying an unauthorised association or something that could be confused with HMRC in either the content or branding on a digital platform.
5. Registered/approved agent
The infringement is displaying an unauthorised affiliation with HMRC to use our reputation to acquire customers.
6. Registered software developer
The infringement is displaying an unauthorised affiliation with HMRC to use our reputation to acquire customers.
7. App infringement
The infringement is using HMRC’s logo or showing false association with HMRC to use our reputation to acquire customers.
8. Search engine advertisement
The infringement is using HMRC’s trademarks in the title or URL of the search engine advertisement and contravenes the advertisement policy of the platform.
9. Social media
The infringement is using HMRC’s logo/trademark or showing false association with HMRC on a social media platform and contravenes social media trademark/copyright policies.
10. Direct financial
The use of our logo/trademark to deliberately mislead customers so that they believe they are dealing with HMRC. This is done for direct financial advantage or to gain information to commit fraud or other criminal acts.
11. Unauthorised association
The infringement is displaying a definite unauthorised association, or is being confused with HMRC in either the content or branding, on a digital platform.
12. Call connection websites
The infringement is displaying our logo/branding as well as purporting to be HMRC in an attempt to mislead our customers into using non-HMRC phone numbers. These cases can include indirect infringements and each will need to be dealt with individually.
13. Copycat websites
The infringement is displaying our logo/branding as well as purporting to be HMRC in an attempt, for monetary gain, to mislead HMRC customers into believing the function or service offered is from HMRC.
14. URL abuse
The infringement is including the HMRC trademark directly in the URL, for example: hxxp://www.hmrconline.com. These sorts of infringements are typically used for phishing sites, call connection and copycat sites.