Creating resources and using the Makaton trade mark

The Makaton Charity's Trustees would like to encourage

  • the development of further resource materials associated with Makaton symbols and signs,
  • the study and evaluation of the use of Makaton symbols and signs
  • the development of computer software, storage and retrieval systems

However, the Trustees of The Makaton Charity have a responsibility to maintain the standard and quality of resources related to Makaton, which are associated with The Makaton Charity, in the interests of the people for whom Makaton was designed.

Therefore if anyone wishes to develop resources and research etc as described above, they should write to the Director of The Makaton Charity, describing the intended use of Makaton symbols and signs.

Using the Makaton® trade mark

"Makaton" is a proprietary name of The Makaton Charity of 31 Firwood Drive, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3QD, (Company Registration Number 06280108 / Registered Charity No 1119819) and is used to describe The Makaton Charity's unique language programme offering a structured, multi-modal approach for the teaching of communication, language and literacy skills for people with communication and learning difficulties.

The Makaton Charity needs to ensure that the Makaton name continues to be distinctive of the high quality programme that it has conceived and developed over the years and continues to develop and promote. It is for precisely that reason that the Makaton name is registered as a trade mark in the UK and elsewhere around the world and that The Makaton Charity enforces its trade marks rights rigorously and does not tolerate any infringement of its rights.

However, The Makaton Charity encourages anything that lawfully and fairly helps to promote the Makaton® Programme and for that reason The Makaton Charity has drafted these guidelines to help the public use the Makaton® name appropriately. These guidelines are intended to supplement The Makaton Charity's legal rights and not to replace them. Furthermore, these guidelines are not intended to serve as a summary of The Makaton Charity's trade mark rights. If you have any doubt as to whether or not your use of the Makaton® name infringes the rights of The Makaton Charity you should obtain independent legal advice.

These guidelines refer to the Makaton® name and do not regulate the use of the Makaton® Symbols. No use may be made of the Makaton® Symbols without the prior written consent of The Makaton Charity.

Referring to Makaton® in text

If you need to you may use the Makaton name in plain text to refer to the Makaton® signs and symbols and/or The Makaton Charity's services provided that you do so in accordance with honest practices in commercial matters, that you do not take unfair advantage of the Makaton® name or The Makaton Charity, that your use is not detrimental to the distinctive character of the Makaton® name and that you respect the following guidelines:

  • The Makaton® name must never be used in relation to any goods or services relating to or embodying any system of language or communication other than the Makaton® Programme.
  • Your use must not mislead the public into believing that your goods or services are provided, approved or endorsed by The Makaton Charity or that you are legally associated with The Makaton Charity.
  • You should always refer to Makaton® in capital letters (MAKATON), or with a capital "M" (Makaton).
  • You must always use the ® symbol alongside the word Makaton wherever it is used.
  • If the Makaton® name is used on any packaging for products or in relation to any publicity (including website publicity) for services in circumstances where you are not licensed by The Makaton Charity, the packaging and publicity must clearly state as follows:

    "Makaton is a registered trade mark of The Makaton Charity. This [product][service] is provided by [your name]. We have no connection with The Makaton Charity and this [product][service] is not approved or endorsed by The Makaton Charity."

  • With website links, the Makaton® name may only be used in the form of a plain text hyperlink (such as www.makaton.org) to The Makaton Charity's home page.
  • The Makaton® name must never be used as part of a product name, domain name, service name or company name or as part of a brand, logo or get-up.
  • The Makaton® name must never be used on merchandise such as clothing or stationery.
  • The Makaton® name must never be used more prominently than your product or service name.
  • The following logos, or variations of them, may never be used without the prior written consent of The Makaton Charity:

MAKATON logo

Makaton

  • Do not use advertising, branding or get-up that approximates or mimics that of The Makaton Charity (including the stylised wording indicated above).