Trademarks

NETGEAR offers a highly visible product line. Trademarks, service marks and other similar indicators of product origin (collectively "Trademarks") of NETGEAR are owned by NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, Inc has registered product names (including "NETGEAR") and other descriptive features with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This includes appropriate agencies in important markets worldwide to protect its claim to specific names, other trademarks and service marks. Trademarks and service marks are vital elements that enable a company to identify its products and distinguish them from others on the market. Trademarks give a company legal "ownership" of a given name, slogan or title and allow the company to collect damages from others who may infringe on the right of or misrepresent the company through improper use of the name. Trademarks come in two forms, formal registration (indicated by the ® symbol) and common law protection (defined by the familiar ™ mark).

When and how to use NETGEAR trademarks

While trademarks are important for establishing and protecting corporate and product identity, they are fragile rights that can be lost through misuse. Trademarks must be used properly and consistently; otherwise, the name, phrase or element risks becoming "generic" and the owner can lose the rights of exclusive ownership.

Proper Trademark Use

You may make fair use of NETGEAR word marks to make true factual statements about NETGEAR products and services. Permissible fair uses of NETGEAR Trademarks include accurate statements such as:

  • The Smart Wizard™ software enables users to install NETGEAR® hardware
  • The NETGEAR® ProSafe® wireless router is compatible with...
  1. Always properly capitalize: Always properly capitalize all NETGEAR trademarks as shown on the NETGEAR trademark list.

    Correct: The NETGEAR® wireless router...
    Incorrect: The netgear wireless router...
    Incorrect: The NetGear wireless router...
    Incorrect: The Netgear wireless router...

  2. Use ® or ™ as appropriate: Always use the ® symbol in connection with registered NETGEAR trademarks and the ™ symbol with non-registered marks with your first or most prominent use of the trademark. The attached list of NETGEAR trademarks explains which are registered and which are not. If you have any questions about the status of NETGEAR trademarks, please contact Albert Liu at aliu@ netgear.com.

    Correct: The NETGEAR® desktop switch...
    Correct: The ProSafe® wireless access point...

  3. Trademark attribution: In advertising or other marketing materials incorporating NETGEAR trademarks, and for all uses of NETGEAR trademarks outside the United States, you should acknowledge NETGEAR as the owner of the trademarks. The following language is appropriate: "[Insert marks used] are registered trademarks or trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and other countries."

  4. Never a verb or a noun: Trademarks function as adjectives, and should never be used as verbs or nouns.

    Correct: The NETGEAR® wireless router transfers data...
    Incorrect: You can effectively NETGEAR your data...
    Incorrect: The company offers NETGEARs and computer hardware...

  5. Always an adjective or alone: Use NETGEAR trademarks either highlighted alone or in text as adjectives followed by a common word or words.

    Correct: The NETGEAR® wall bridge connects...

  6. Never plural: Do not use a trademark as a plural.

    Correct: The NETGEAR® switch is compatible with...
    Incorrect: NETGEARs are compatible with...

  7. Never a possessive: Do not use a NETGEAR trademark in the possessive form.

    Correct: The Smart Wizard™ software's best feature is...
    Incorrect: Smart Wizard's best feature is...
    Exception: This rule does not apply when using "NETGEAR" in order to refer to our company by name.

  8. Never alter the trademark: NETGEAR trademarks must be used exactly as they appear inthe trademark list. Do not shorten, abbreviate,II. Fair Use

Improper Trademark Use

  1. Unless you have express written permission to do so, you should not use NETGEAR logos or stylizations of NETGEAR word marks because they are not necessary to make factual statements about our company and products.

  2. You may not use a NETGEAR trademark as part of your company name, trade name, product name or service name.

  3. You may not use a NETGEAR trademark in a disparaging manner.

  4. You may not use a NETGEAR trademark in a way to make the public think that your company is related to, or sponsored or endorsed by NETGEAR. This means reference to NETGEAR trademarks should not be the most prominent visual element in your marketing materials.

  5. You may not imitate NETGEAR logos, logotypes, trade dress, or other elements of NETGEAR product packaging and Web sites in any of your materials, including but not limited to advertising, product packaging, Web sites, and promotional materials.

Requiring Express Written Permission

NETGEAR may from time to time offer written licenses in order to allow companies to promote their products or services and to feature NETGEAR trademarks. Unless NETGEAR grants you express written permission to do so, please keep in mind that you may not:

  • Use NETGEAR logos or any stylization of NETGEAR word marks
  • Use NETGEAR trademarks as meta tags for your Web page or as part of your Web address
  • Copy the "look and feel" of the NETGEAR Web pages, marketing materials, products or packaging
  • Purchase your own online advertising "keyed" to consumer Web searches for NETGEAR trademarks
  • Manufacture, sell or give away merchandise items bearing any NETGEAR trademarks absent a written agreement

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact andrew.kim@netgear.com.

NETGEAR Trademark List

The following list is current as of November 5, 2008. The list and designations are subject to change without notice. Please contact NETGEAR with any questions regarding proper classification of a particular trademark.

Current Marks

  • NETGEAR®
  • NETGEAR Logo®
  • NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Logo®
  • Connect with Innovation™
  • FrontView™
  • PowerShift™
  • ProSafe®
  • ProSecure®
  • RAIDar™
  • RAIDiator™
  • RangeMax™
  • ReadyNAS®
  • Smart Wizard®
  • X-RAID®
  • X-RAID2™

Third-Party Trademarks

The NETGEAR Trademark Guidelines are designed for use by authorized users and licensees of NETGEAR trademarks. These Guidelines do not allow or authorize other third parties to use NETGEAR trademarks and trade dress elements without express authorization from NETGEAR. For authorized users and licensees of NETGEAR trademarks, these guidelines should be used in conjunction with the terms outlined in any written agreements entered into with NETGEAR. In the event of any conflict between these guidelines and the terms outlined in a written agreement with NETGEAR, the written agreement controls.

For questions regarding trademarks, please contact Andrew Kim at andrew.kim@netgear.com.