Trademark Usage Guide for CIPM® Certificants

Those who have earned the CIPM certificate have the right to use the following marks to describe themselves:

• CIPM®
• Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™

These marks are referred to as the “CIPM Marks.” They are recognized symbols of professionalism and integrity that distinguish CIPM certificants from other investment professionals around the world.

Use of the CIPM Marks is governed by applicable laws and The CIPM Association Code of Ethics and and Standards of Professional Conduct. The CIPM Association Code and Standards is based on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standard VII (B) of the Standards of Professional Conduct. The CIPM Marks can only be used by certificants who are dues paying members of the CIPM Association, not subject to certain Professional Conduct violations and whose rights to use the CIPM designation have not been suspended or revoked.

Use of the CIPM Marks signifies that you have earned the prestigious CIPM designation. It is important to use these marks properly and to be mindful of improper use or infringement.

To assist you, CFA Institute has developed this Trademark Usage Guide. Please consult and follow this guide when preparing business cards, letterhead, promotional literature, signage, and all other forms of printed, electronic, and written communications.

The examples set forth here are intended to illustrate proper usage of the CIPM Marks. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it an exhaustive discussion of your obligations, so if questions do arise please contact staff in the Legal Services Group (LSG) at CFA Institute by e-mail. You should also contact LSG staff if you become aware of improper usage or infringement of any of the CIPM Marks.

1. Use the marks as adjectives.

The CIPM® and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ marks must not be used generically (as a noun) and should only be used as an adjective. A mark can become generic when it is used as a common name for a category of products or services. For example, references to all facial tissues as Kleenexes, all photocopies as Xeroxes, and all financial practitioners as “CIPMs” are improper and are considered generic. If the use becomes generic, CIPM® certificants could lose their exclusive use of these valuable marks. If you are using the marks correctly, you should be able to omit the CIPM from a sentence and still have the sentence make sense. For example, “John Smith is a CIPM® certificant.”

Proper

• John Smith is a CIPM® certificant.
• Amy Jones, CIPM, is a portfolio manager.
• John Smith earned the right to use the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ designation.

Improper

• John Smith is a CIPM.
• CIPM is a distinguished designation.

2. Use the registration symbol where appropriate.

The first and most prominent use of the CIPM® mark in text material should include the registered trademark symbol (®). Likewise, the first and most prominent use of the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ mark in text material should include the ™ symbol. It is not necessary to use the ® or ™ symbol when the marks directly follow the name of a specific individual.

Proper

• John Smith is a CIPM® certificant.
• Three analysts at the firm hold the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ designation.
• Amy Jones, CIPM

Always specify in a tag line at the end of an article and at the bottom of an advertisement or promotional literature that “CIPM is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.”

3. The CIPM® mark must appear in all capital letters.

Proper

• John Smith, CIPM

Improper

• Amy Jones, cipm

4. The form of the marks must never be altered to create a new word, phrase or design, or used in a company name.

For example, a prep course may not call itself “CIPMasters.”

The CIPM® and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ marks must not be used as part of, or incorporated in, the name of a company or imply that the company is entitled to use the marks. Additionally, the marks may not be used in a certificant’s business e-mail address or in a personal or company domain name.

Improper

• Amy Jones, Inc., CIPM
• johnsmithcipm.com

5. The marks may never be used in the plural or possessive forms.

Proper

• Several CIPM certificants attended the conference.

Improper

• Three CIPMs work at the firm.
• A CIPM’s greatest attribute is mastery of knowledge.