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+# Trademark Usage Guidelines
+
+### 1. Our Trademarks
+
+The **Open Integration Engine project** (the "Project") claims common law trademark rights in the following "Marks":
+
+* **Open Integration Engine™** (the full name)
+
+* **OIE™** (the acronym)
+
+* **The OIE Logo** (the visual mark)
+
+### 2. Why We Have These Guidelines
+
+While our software is released under an open-source license, that license applies to **copyrighted code**, not to the **trademarks**. We maintain these marks to:
+
+* Ensure the community knows which software is "official."
+
+* Prevent confusion between the Project and third-party commercial services.
+
+* Protect the reputation of our contributors and founders.
+
+### 3. Permitted Uses (No Permission Required)
+
+You may use the Word Marks (**Open Integration Engine** or **OIE**) without prior written consent in the following cases:
+
+* **Identification:** To truthfully state that your software is compatible with, integrates with, or is a fork of the Project (e.g., *"MyPlugin for OIE"* or *"Compatible with Open Integration Engine"*).
+
+* **Community:** In blog posts, social media, or educational tutorials discussing the engine.
+
+* **Prominence:** Your own branding must be more prominent than the Project’s Marks.
+
+### 4. Uses Requiring Permission
+
+You **must** contact the Steering Committee before:
+
+* Using the Marks as the primary name of a commercial product or service.
+
+* Registering a domain name that includes "OIE" or "OpenIntegrationEngine."
+
+* Using the Logo on physical merchandise (T-shirts, stickers) for sale.
+
+### 5. Prohibited Uses
+
+* **Confusion:** You may not use the Marks in a way that suggests the Project endorses, sponsors, or is legally affiliated with your company.
+
+* **False Claims:** You may not use the Marks to describe a product that does not actually contain OIE code or integration.
+
+* **Alteration:** You may not stretch, recolor, or modify the OIE Logo.
+
+### 6. Trademark Attribution
+
+Whenever you use the Marks, please include the following attribution in your footer or legal section:
+
+> *Open Integration Engine™, OIE™, and the OIE Logo are trademarks of the Open Integration Engine project.*