Legal Matters

The Partnership Project is not a legal entity but is a collaborative activity between the following recognized Standards Development Organizations (SDO):

• The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) – Japan
• The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) – US
• China Communications Standards Association (CCSA) – China
• The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) – Europe
• Telecommunications Standards Development Society (TSDSI) – India
• Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) – South Korea
• Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) – Japan

The Partnership Project is entitled the “THIRD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT” and may be known by the acronym “3GPP”.

This section outlines:

• How to apply for permission to use 3GPP trademarked terms and logos
• Details of the terms of use of the 3GPP trademarked terms and the 3GPP, LTE and 5G logos
• The official logo usage guidelines

This Brand Guideline will help the reader to make the correct use of 3GPP related terms, trademarks and logos.

The 3GPP name

The Third Generation Partnership Project is commonly known as 3GPP. When referencing 3GPP we do not require that the full name of the project is used. However, we woluld encourage the use of the long form ‘Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)’ in formal texts, before using the acronym 3GPP thereafter.

3GPP Trademarks

3GPP does not register any trademarks itself. Trademarking is done on a regional basis on behalf of the project – by the Organizational Partners (https://www.3gpp.org/about-us/partners).

A statement on trademarking (Under: COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARKS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS) is at https://www.3gpp.org/terms-of-use

When using a 3GPP name or trademark, never vary the spelling, add or delete hyphens, make one word two, or use a possessive or plural form of the 3GPP brand. Never abbreviate a 3GPP trademark to create a new acronym.

Before using any of the 3GPP project logos, refer tohttps://www.3gpp.org/about-us/legal-matters/logo-usage. 

Individual Members should declare to their Organizational Partners any IPRs which they believe to be essential, or potentially essential, to any work being conducted within 3GPP.

During each 3GPP meeting (TSGs and WGs) a call for IPRs must be made by the Chair using standard wording. For further information contact the PCG Secretary.

List of IPR resources provided by the 3GPP Organizational Partners:

• ARIB – https://www.arib.or.jp/english/std_tr/index.html (STD-T120)
• ATIS – https://www.atis.org/policy/patent-policy/
• CCSA – http://www.ccsa.org.cn/english/ipr
• ETSI – https://www.etsi.org/intellectual-property-rights
• TTA – https://www.tta.or.kr/eng/contents.do?key=168 
• TTC – https://www.ttc.or.jp/activities/ipr
• TSDSI – https://tsdsi.in/ipr/

During each 3GPP meeting (PCG, TSGs, WGs and SWGs) a statement relating to antitrust and competition laws must be made by the Chair using standard wording.