Using the COSS Mark: Displaying Your Commitment

Once your project has aligned with the Contriboss (COSS) Brand Principles and publicly affirmed its commitment (with formal verification from The COSS Stewardship Body being highly recommended), you are encouraged to display the COSS Mark. This visually communicates your dedication to neutrality, interoperability, and open standards.

General Guidelines for Using the COSS Mark

The COSS Mark includes the “COSS” name and its official associated logos (to be provided by The COSS Stewardship Body). When using the Mark, please adhere to the following general guidelines to ensure its integrity and consistent representation:

Official Marks Only

• Always use the official COSS name and logo files as provided by The COSS Stewardship Body. Do not alter, distort, or reconfigure the Mark in any way.
• (Link to a future “Brand Assets” page or section where official logos can be downloaded.)

Clear Association with Your Project

• Display the COSS Mark in a way that clearly associates it with your specific project that has affirmed COSS compliance.
• Common placements include your project’s website, README file, documentation, and relevant promotional materials.

Maintain Readability and Integrity

• Ensure the Mark is reproduced at a size that is clearly legible and maintains its visual integrity.
• Provide sufficient clear space around the Mark, free from other text or graphics, to ensure it stands out.

Do Not Imply Endorsement Beyond COSS Principles

• Use of the COSS Mark signifies your project’s commitment to the COSS Brand Principles. It does not imply a direct endorsement, certification of quality, or security audit of your project by The COSS Stewardship Body beyond adherence to these stated principles.
• Avoid language that suggests COSS guarantees the performance or specific features of your software.

Distinguish from Your Own Branding

• The COSS Mark should be used to indicate COSS compliance and should not be integrated into your own project’s logo or branding in a way that creates a combined or confusing mark.

Referencing “COSS” in Text

When referring to the initiative or the standard, use “Contriboss (COSS)” on first mention if context requires the full name, and “COSS” thereafter.

When referring to your project’s status, you can state:

• “[Your Project Name] is a COSS-branded project.”
• “[Your Project Name] adheres to the COSS Brand Principles.”
• “[Your Project Name] is committed to the COSS standard for neutrality and interoperability.”

Specific Usage Examples (Illustrative - To Be Updated with Official Logo)

(This section will be populated with visual examples once the COSS logo is designed and specific placement guidelines are created by The COSS Stewardship Body. Examples might include placement on a website header/footer, in a GitHub README, or on presentation slides.)

• Example: “Project X [COSS Logo] - Committed to Open Standards”
• Example: “Learn more about how Project Y aligns with the [COSS Mark] principles.”

Maintaining the Right to Use the Mark

The right to use the COSS Mark is contingent upon your project’s ongoing adherence to the COSS Brand Principles. The COSS Stewardship Body reserves the right to request that a project cease using the Mark if it is found to be no longer in compliance.

Questions?

If you have any questions about using the COSS Mark, please contact The COSS Stewardship Body.
Contact The COSS Stewardship Body

Note: This page will require significant updates once the official COSS logo and detailed brand identity guidelines are developed by The COSS Stewardship Body. This draft provides the foundational guidance.