# Ciaren Trademark Policy

This policy explains how the Ciaren name, logo, and related marks may be used.
It is meant to keep the community welcoming while avoiding confusion about what
is official, endorsed, or operated by the Ciaren maintainers.

This document is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal question, consult
your own counsel.

## Protected Marks

The Ciaren marks include:

- The name `Ciaren`
- The Ciaren logo and visual identity
- Product or service names that clearly identify official Ciaren offerings,
  including names such as `Ciaren Cloud`, `Ciaren Marketplace`,
  `Ciaren Premium`, and similar official-sounding names

## Allowed Uses

You may use the Ciaren name without asking for permission when the use is
truthful, descriptive, and not confusing. Examples:

- Referring to the Ciaren open-source project.
- Saying that your plugin, tutorial, template, integration, or service works
  with Ciaren.
- Naming a package in a descriptive way such as `plugin for Ciaren` or
  `Acme connector for Ciaren`.
- Linking to the Ciaren repository or documentation.
- Writing reviews, tutorials, comparisons, talks, articles, or videos about
  Ciaren.

## Uses That Need Permission

Please ask before using the Ciaren marks in ways that could imply official
status, ownership, sponsorship, or endorsement. Examples:

- Naming a hosted service `Ciaren Cloud`, `Ciaren Hosted`, or a similar
  official-sounding name.
- Using the Ciaren logo as the main branding for your company, product,
  plugin marketplace, or paid service.
- Registering domains, social accounts, packages, organizations, or apps that
  make it look like you are the official Ciaren project.
- Using `Ciaren` as the first or dominant word in a commercial product name.
- Modifying the Ciaren logo in a way that creates a confusingly similar mark.

## Plugins and Integrations

Plugin authors may describe compatibility with Ciaren and may choose their own
plugin licenses. However:

- Do not call a plugin "official" unless it is published or explicitly endorsed
  by the Ciaren maintainers.
- Do not imply that a community or third-party plugin is maintained, reviewed, or
  supported by the Ciaren project unless that is true.
- Prefer names such as `Acme Snowflake Connector for Ciaren` over
  `Ciaren Snowflake Connector` unless the plugin is official.

## Forks and Modified Versions

You may fork and modify the Ciaren code under the applicable open-source
licenses. If you distribute a modified version, make it clear that it is modified
and not the official Ciaren release.

Recommended wording:

> This is a modified distribution of Ciaren and is not affiliated with or
> endorsed by the official Ciaren maintainers.

## Reporting Misuse

If you see confusing or misleading use of the Ciaren name or logo, please open
a discussion or contact the maintainers with enough context to review it.

The maintainers may update this policy as the project grows.