The questions and answers below are provided as general guidance on various topics related to use of the Johns Hopkins Medicine logo. For advice or permission regarding a specific proposed use, please click here to submit a request.
1. Why does Johns Hopkins have the Use of Name policies and principles?
2. Are Johns Hopkins logos, marks, and names trademarked?
3. What is the proper way to refer to Johns Hopkins Medicine and its organizations?
4. Who should review and approve press releases?
5. May a company quote me or provide a testimonial in its material if there is no use of the Johns Hopkins name?
6. Do the guidelines apply only to commercial, for-profit companies?
7. My contact at a vendor has asked for an endorsement. Is this allowed?
9. May the Johns Hopkins name be used to endorse or support a company, technology or product?
10. May a third party use Johns Hopkins images in their publicity or promotional material?
11. May I use third party logos on Johns Hopkins Medicine websites, materials or displays?
13. How do I report misuse of Johns Hopkins logos/names by non-Johns Hopkins entities?
14. May I use my Johns Hopkins title in political statements, endorsements, campaigns and ads?
15. May I use the Johns Hopkins Medicine name in promotional activities, exhibits and trade shows?
16. My contact at a vendor has asked for the Johns Hopkins logo. Is this allowed?
19. May the Johns Hopkins name be used in books and scholarly articles by Johns Hopkins faculty members?
21. May an outside organization list Johns Hopkins as a customer or client?
22. May a vendor use images of their work for Johns Hopkins when responding to an RFP?
24. May Johns Hopkins Medicine websites and marketing materials cite the brand names of products used in clinical practice (e.g., Botox, Restylane)?
25. May I use a trade or brand name of a product used in clinical care?
28. I am on the part-time faculty. Am I bound by the Johns Hopkins Medicine policies on use of name?
30. May a third party use Johns Hopkins images in their publicity or promotional material?
31. What is the policy on using the Johns Hopkins name on social media?
33. Can a vendor post a case study featuring our project on its website/blog?
35. May a faculty or staff member appear in an outside organization or commercial video?
36. When can an organizations or companies use images of their work?
1. Why does Johns Hopkins have the Use of Name policies and principles?
These policies and principles were developed to help Johns Hopkins faculty, staff and students avoid an actual or implied endorsement by Johns Hopkins of non-Johns Hopkins organizations, products, services, or activities, including lending their own names, or the names of their schools, departments, divisions, institutes or other Johns Hopkins entities, units, in a manner that could imply Johns Hopkins endorsement.
2. Are Johns Hopkins logos, marks, and names trademarked?
Johns Hopkins names, marks, or logos are protected by trademark law from use by others outside of the Johns Hopkins University or Johns Hopkins Health System. Protection of Johns Hopkins names, marks or logos is the responsibility of all Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, and students.
3. What is the proper way to refer to Johns Hopkins Medicine and its organizations?
4. Who should review and approve press releases?
Press releases issued by outside organizations that use the logo should be directed to the media relations and public relations team for required prior review and approval.
5. May a company quote me or provide a testimonial in its material if there is no use of the Johns Hopkins name?
With limited exceptions, Johns Hopkins Medicine personnel may not be quoted in outside organization material (e.g., news releases) in areas of their professional expertise regardless of whether the Johns Hopkins logos are used. See Use of Name by Outside Organizations.
6. Do the guidelines apply only to commercial, for-profit companies?
The guidelines apply to all entities, including nonprofit organizations. For example, the Johns Hopkins name and logos may not be used for marketing purposes or by a foundation for fundraising without permission.
7. My contact at a vendor has asked for an endorsement. Is this allowed?
No, Johns Hopkins does not provide endorsements and avoids implied endorsements. Johns Hopkins Medicine faculty, staff and students may not provide quotes or recommendations in their Johns Hopkins capacities. With approval, vendors may include the name of the specific Johns Hopkins client department in plain text in an alphabetical list of customers as long as Johns Hopkins Medicine is not highlighted in any way. No logos should be used.
8. May a third party use Johns Hopkins images in their publicity or promotional material?
Photographs or drawings of iconic Johns Hopkins buildings and other campus artwork and landmarks may not be used in promotional material or by outside organizations without prior permission. Please click here to submit a request.
9. May the Johns Hopkins name be used to endorse or support a company, technology or product?
The Johns Hopkins Medicine names and logos may not be used to endorse or support a company, technology or product. See our Core Principles or Publicity, Promotion and Endorsement.
10. May a third party use Johns Hopkins images in their publicity or promotional material?
Photographs or drawings of iconic Johns Hopkins buildings and other campus artwork and landmarks may not be used in promotional material or by outside organizations without prior permission. Please click here to submit a request.
11. May I use third party logos on Johns Hopkins Medicine websites, materials, or displays?
They can be recognized by name in a list of five or more, in alphabetical order, same size font, style, and placement as corporate sponsors or supporters. While these relationships with Johns Hopkins are valued with donors, research funders, program sponsors, vendors, consultants, or advisors for Johns Hopkins programs and other collaborations. Corporate or industry logos are not permitted.
12. May I place another institution’s or company’s logo, slogan or website on my Johns Hopkins business card, letterhead, collateral or website?
For information about a specific situation, submit a request.
13. How do I report misuse of Johns Hopkins logos/names by non-Johns Hopkins entities?
Please click here to submit a report.
14. May I use my Johns Hopkins title in political statements, endorsements, campaigns and ads?
Faculty and staff members must contact the Office of Government and Community Affairs if they propose to participate in public policy discussions on behalf of Johns Hopkins. The Office of Government and Community Affairs is available to provide general advice regarding participation in public policy activities.
15. May I use the Johns Hopkins Medicine name in promotional activities, exhibits and trade shows?
The Johns Hopkins Medicine name may not be used in commercial exhibits, trade shows or promotional activities.
16. My contact at a vendor has asked for the Johns Hopkins logo. Is this allowed?
No, Johns Hopkins does not provide logos to vendors. Permission for third parties to use the name, logos or symbols of Johns Hopkins Medicine or Johns Hopkins entities is rarely granted.
To ensure a unified brand identity and avoid confusion, Johns Hopkins Medicine personnel and units may not create their own logos. Johns Hopkins Medicine units may request assistance in creating a graphic look to support their unique identities. Learn more about our brand.
18. May outside groups or individuals use the Johns Hopkins logos or endorsements by faculty or staff to raise funds for Johns Hopkins Medicine?
Because even the appearance of an endorsement can harm Johns Hopkins Medicine’s reputation for independence and objectivity, such requests must be submitted for review and approval.
19. May the Johns Hopkins name be used in books and scholarly articles by Johns Hopkins faculty members?
Faculty authors may factually cite their Johns Hopkins titles and affiliations in connection with their listing as an author.
20. May an outside organization use the Johns Hopkins name, logo or images in a case study or white paper?
Outside organizations or companies, including vendors, consultants, and suppliers of resources to construction and or research projects, may not publish case studies, white papers, blogs, websites, or promotional materials describing or using images of Johns Hopkins projects, products, services, and research, or other activities provided. No use of the names, logos, or images of work done at or for Johns Hopkins is permitted. The policy does not allow the Johns Hopkins logos or brand marks for promotional purposes, even if the company has a contractual agreement. For more information please visit Publicity, Promotion, and Endorsement.
21. May an outside organization list Johns Hopkins as a customer or client?
When there is a signed purchase or other procurement agreement between a Johns Hopkins entity and the third party, the Johns Hopkins name generally may be included in a client or customer list, provided the list includes five or more clients or customers displayed in alphabetical order; there is consistent font, style, and placement; and the list is that is specific to the product or service provided to Johns Hopkins. Prior written approval by an authorized Johns Hopkins representative is required, and consent may be withheld at Johns Hopkins’ sole discretion. For more information please visit Publicity, Promotion, and Endorsement.
22. May a vendor use images of their work for Johns Hopkins when responding to an RFP?
Outside organizations or companies may include images of their work for Johns Hopkins in responding to RFPs involving other prospective clients or projects. The images should not be used for any other marketing or promotional purposes.
23. A company that makes a product used in our clinical practice has offered free patient information material to display in the waiting area. The information is accurate and appropriate for patients, but the material features the company’s product. May we display it in our clinic?
Please refer to the Johns Hopkins Medicine Interaction with Industry Policy.
24. May Johns Hopkins Medicine websites and marketing materials cite the brand names of products used in clinical practice (e.g., Botox, Restylane)?
Johns Hopkins Medicine websites and marketing materials may not display the names of commercial products except where the product is described generically and branded products are only in a parenthetical phrase and as one in a list. For example: “… cosmetic fillers (e.g., Botox, Restylane).”
25. May I use a trade or brand name of a product used in clinical care?
Johns Hopkins material and web content may cite the trade or brand name of a medical device in cases where there is only one FDA-approved device for a particular purpose. The trade name may be used only for specific and limited purposes, and it must be accurate and clear. For example, “[device name] is the only FDA-approved device to treat [xyz condition].” Recommended keywords to use in copy include “options” and “such as” [device name]. Copy should also discuss other possible treatments (e.g., non-invasive approaches).
There should be no actual or implied endorsement of the device or product by Johns Hopkins or its centers, institutes, departments, or faculty. Photos or images of the device should not be supplied by the vendor and the vendor or manufacturer’s name should not be used. There should be no links to the product or manufacturer’s website.
26. May Johns Hopkins Medicine websites include links to the websites of vendors or manufacturers of products and services that may be useful to patients?
Johns Hopkins Medicine websites may not include links to the websites of vendors or manufacturers of any commercial products or services.
27. What organizations make up Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Health System and The Johns Hopkins University?
See our organizational structure here.
28. I am on the part-time faculty. Am I bound by the Johns Hopkins Medicine policies on use of name?
Part-time faculty members whose credentials are in good standing may cite their title (including the fact that they are part time) on their websites, stationery and other materials. They may not use Johns Hopkins logos or imply endorsement by Johns Hopkins of their private services or activity. In addition, Johns Hopkins Medicine strongly discourages part-time faculty members from endorsing commercial products or services.
29. May Johns Hopkins websites include a link to websites of outside nonprofit, government and patient advocacy organizations?
Generally, Johns Hopkins websites may link to websites of outside nonprofit, government and patient advocacy organizations. However, Johns Hopkins does not control and cannot monitor outside websites. So, when linking to outside websites, Johns Hopkins Medicine websites must post the following disclaimer: “You are being redirected to a website outside Johns Hopkins for information purposes only. Johns Hopkins is not responsible for any aspect of the external website.”
30. May a third party use Johns Hopkins images in their publicity or promotional material?
Photographs or drawings of iconic Johns Hopkins buildings and other campus artwork and landmarks may not be used in promotional material or by outside organizations without prior permission. Please click here to submit a request.
31. What is the policy on using the Johns Hopkins name on social media?
There is institutional policy on use of the Johns Hopkins name when posting on channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information, see the Social Media guidelines.
32. I am a faculty member and participate in social media on my own time. Occasionally, I post blogs on health care sites. May I state that I am on the Johns Hopkins faculty?
You may cite your Johns Hopkins title and affiliation, but you also should post a disclaimer, as follows: “Dr./Mr./Ms. [Name]’s post on this site is made in a personal capacity and is independent of his/her affiliation with The/the Johns Hopkins [University/Health System].” See Social Media Guidelines.
33. Can a vendor post a case study featuring our project on its website/blog?
No, vendors may not publish case studies about their work with Johns Hopkins without permission or if stated otherwise in the legal agreement.
34. Are there restrictions around filming, recording and photography in Johns Hopkins buildings and on campuses?
Yes. All filming and recording projects by a third party need approval from the Imaging and Recording Oversight Committee (IROC). Anyone filming on Johns Hopkins Health System property and in clinical spaces must have the appropriate legal agreements, approvals and on-site escorts in place. For more information, see the Imaging and Recording Policy.
35. May a faculty or staff member appear in an outside organization or commercial video?
In general, faculty or staff members may not appear in outside organization or commercial videos that are created for promotional and marketing purposes, even if the videos are intended for internal use. Third parties that propose to film or record Johns Hopkins faculty or staff members speaking in their professional capacities or to film or record on Johns Hopkins campuses, must obtain permission from media relations, public relations, brand management and corporate communications divisions. All filming and recording projects by a third party need approval from IROC.
36. When can an organizations or companies use images of their work?
Outside organizations or companies may include images of their work at Johns Hopkins in responding to RFPs from prospective clients. This is general practice since RFPs are targeted and are generally confidential rather than public-facing references to clients. The images should not be used for marketing or promotional purposes. Any proposed use of the Johns Hopkins Medicine name or logos by a vendor must be reviewed and approved in advance by an authorized Johns Hopkins Medicine official.
37. May I use the term “partnership” when describing agreements or relationships with non-Hopkins organizations?
Johns Hopkins is not permitted to use the term "partnership. Third parties or non Johns Hopkins entities are permitted as well.
The terms “partner” and “partnership” are reserved for a limited number of situations in which, under a legal agreement, a Johns Hopkins Medicine entity and a third party share equal responsibilities. When describing the relationship with an outside entity, be as specific and factual as possible. The appropriate and preferred term is in collaboration or a collaborative relationship. For example, “under a collaborative research agreement with the School of Medicine….” or “under a license agreement with the Johns Hopkins University….”
Johns Hopkins does not consider these relationships to be partnerships, and the word “partner” should be avoided. Other words such as “collaborator,” or “collaboration,” or “working together” should be used to describe the relationship.
“External Collaborators” means non-Johns Hopkins entities, such as vendors, industrial affiliates, research sponsors, and donors, among others.