What are the trademark requirements for BIMI VMC, and can alternative jurisdictions or certifications be used?

For a BIMI Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) to be issued, organizations must have their logo officially registered as a figurative or graphic trademark with a recognized Intellectual Property (IP) office. This is a fundamental requirement, ensuring brand authenticity and trust, and not just any registered trademark will suffice; a word mark, for instance, is generally not accepted. The specific IP office where the trademark is registered must be on a list approved by the VMC-issuing Certificate Authorities (CAs), including major global offices such as the USPTO, EUIPO, and UKIPO. This strict validation process means that there are no 'alternative certifications' like simple copyrights or common-law trademarks that can replace a registered logo trademark for VMC purposes. While a Conditional Mark Certificate (CMC) offers a temporary solution during trademark approval, it is limited to Gmail and does not display the verified tick mark, making it distinct from a full VMC. The logo used for BIMI must also precisely match its registered trademark version.

Achieving a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for BIMI demands precise trademark compliance, primarily requiring a registered logo or figurative trademark. This registered mark must originate from an Intellectual Property (IP) office that is explicitly recognized by the Certificate Authorities (CAs) responsible for VMC issuance. While trademarks from various global jurisdictions can qualify, their respective IP offices must be on the CAs' approved list, meaning less internationally recognized offices are typically not accepted for VMC purposes. It is critical to understand that common-law trademarks, pending applications, simple copyrights, or basic brand names do not meet the stringent VMC criteria, as there are no direct alternative certifications for obtaining a full VMC. Although a Conditional Mark Certificate (CMC) offers a provisional solution during the trademark application process, it is limited in scope, currently only supported by Gmail, and crucially, does not display the coveted verified tick mark.

Securing a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) for BIMI requires a brand's logo to be a registered trademark. Crucially, this registration must be with a trademark office that is explicitly recognized and approved by the Certificate Authorities (CAs) responsible for issuing VMCs. This means that while many jurisdictions offer trademark registration, only a select group of global intellectual property offices, such as the USPTO, EUIPO, and UK IPO, are accepted for VMC purposes. There are no alternative certifications or unapproved jurisdictions that can fulfill the stringent trademark requirements for a full BIMI VMC.

To qualify for a BIMI Verified Mark Certificate (VMC), stringent trademark requirements dictate that a brand's logo must be a registered figurative- or logo-trademark. This registration is exclusively accepted from a select list of Intellectual Property (IP) offices that are officially recognized by the Certificate Authorities (CAs) issuing VMCs. Crucially, this means that only globally recognized IP offices- such as the USPTO, EUIPO, and UKIPO- are typically approved, and there are no alternative certifications or unapproved jurisdictions that can fulfill these non-negotiable requirements for a full VMC. Word marks, pending applications, common-law trademarks, or simple copyrights do not meet the criteria.