The Bluetooth SIG administers a process members complete to demonstrate and declare that the products they build, brand, or otherwise represent as their own, are compliant with the requirements of the Bluetooth license agreements companies sign when they become a member of the SIG. The two licensing agreements are:

• Bluetooth Patent & Copyright License Agreement—a reciprocal license between each Bluetooth SIG member to the IP that each member owns that is  “necessary” for Bluetooth technology
• Bluetooth Trademark License Agreement—a license between the Bluetooth SIG (owner of the Bluetooth trademark) and each member authorizing the use of the Bluetooth trademarks

The Trademark License Agreement applies to the usage of the Bluetooth registered trademarks which includes the word “Bluetooth.”  Any use of the wordmark (.e.g. “Bluetooth”), combination mark, and/or figure mark (e.g. logo) in relation to production, manufacturing, supply, promotion, marketing, sale, lease, or other distribution and advertisement of products is only allowed when the product has completed our defined processes– Qualification and Declaration. Each member must be compliant with the Qualification and Declaration processes. In some instances members may inherit the Qualification status from another member in accordance with the program policies and proceed with completing the Declaration process – we assess a Declaration Fee to complete this process that we cannot waive.

A member choosing not to use the trademark must still be compliant with the Bluetooth Patent & Copyright License Agreement. Companies are encouraged to review the conditions of the license agreements and consult their legal counsel with any questions regarding the applicable requirements. We are unable to provide any legal advice, including the ramifications resulting from a member’s failure to adhere to the procedures set out in the Bluetooth SIG’s operative, governing documents. For these reasons, we advise each Member completes the defined processes to ensure they demonstrate and declare compliance to both license agreements. 

Learn more by visiting the Qualification Enforcement Policy.

KB0010215