DAMASK Trademark Usage Policy#

“DAMASK” is a registered trademark of the Max-Planck-Institut für Nachhaltige Materialien GmbH (MPI-SusMat).

The DAMASK program and the DAMASK Python library are an open source project governed by MPI-SusMat. This document provides information about use of the DAMASK trademark specific to computational materials science, as well as examples of common ways people might want to use the trademark, with explanations as to whether those uses are OK or not or require permission.

Trademarks are names and designs that tell the world the source of a good or service. Protecting trademarks for an open source project is particularly important. Anyone can change the source code and produce a product from that code, so it’s important that only the original product, or variations that have been approved by the project, use the project’s trademarks.

By limiting use of the DAMASK trademark, the MPI-SusMat can help users and developers know they’re getting the product produced by MPI-SusMat and not someone else’s modified version. The trademark assures users and developers of the quality and safety of the product they’re using.

This document was derived in part from the RUST Trademark Policy.

Using the trademark#

Not appearing official, affiliated, or endorsed#

The most basic rule is that the DAMASK trademark cannot be used in ways that appear (to a casual observer) official, affiliated, or endorsed by MPI-SusMat, unless you have written permission from the MPI-SusMat. This is the fundamental way we protect users and developers from confusion. This is a requirement for all uses, even those that are listed as not requiring explicit approval. For example, the use of terms such as ‘official’, ‘original’ or ‘only’ is likely to give the appearance that the use of the trademark is officially endorsed by MPI-SusMat, and therefore would not be acceptable.

Since this rule is about managing perception, it is subjective and somewhat difficult to nail down concretely. If you have any doubts, we would be more than happy to help.

The basics: referring to DAMASK#

As with any trademark, the DAMASK word mark can be used with minimal restriction to refer to the DAMASK simulation framework.

It may not be used:

  • to refer to any other simulation package;

  • to refer to a modified version of the DAMASK simulation framework, except as permitted below for minor changes;

  • in ways that confuse the community as to whether DAMASK is open source and free to use.

Legitimate sources of official source code of DAMASK and associated binaries#

Official source code and binaries produced by the DAMASK project and covered by this policy will always come from, or be endorsed by, one of these sources:

  • the domain damask-multiphysics.org and its subdomains;

  • the domain mpie.de and its subdomains;

  • the domain mpi-susmat.de and its subdomains;

  • the Github Organisation “damask-multiphysics” (located at damask-multiphysics) and its projects;

  • the Zenodo record reachable at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14586837.

Uses that do not require explicit approval#

There are a variety of uses that do not require explicit approval. However, in all of the cases outlined below, you must ensure that use of the DAMASK trademark does not appear official, affiliated, or endorsed, as explained above.

  • Stating accurately that simulations are carried out using DAMASK is allowed. In those cases, you may use the word “DAMASK” to indicate this, without prior approval. This is true both for non-commercial and commercial uses.

  • Publicly distributing a modified version of DAMASK is allowed, provided that the modifications are limited to:

    • Code adjustments for the purpose of porting to a different platform, architecture, or system, or integrating the software with the packaging system of that platform.

    • Hosting a fork of the code for the purpose of making changes, additions, or deletions that will be submitted as proposed improvements to the DAMASK project code is allowed, as long as you do not market or promote your fork.

  • Using the word “DAMASK” on websites, brochures, documentation, academic papers, and books to refer to DAMASK or the DAMASK framework is allowed.

Modifications must be clearly disclosed alongside the distribution if they do not have prior approval.

Uses that require explicit approval#

  • Distributing a modified version of DAMASK with modifications other than those permitted above and calling it DAMASK requires explicit, written permission from MPI-SusMat.

  • Using the DAMASK trademark within another trademark requires written permission from MPI-SusMat and may include additional conditions of use and a fee for use.