Trademarks

Trademarks such as BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU®, BBB®, START WITH TRUST®, the BBB Torch Logo, the BBB Accredited Business Seal, the BBB Accredited Business Charity Seal, BBB AUTO LINE®, and THE SIGN OF A BETTER BUSINESS^SM, are trademarks owned by the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (IABBB). These trademarks may be used, with certain restrictions, only by BBBs and eligible businesses participating in BBB programs under a license agreement.

Businesses and charities interested in accreditation and the accompanying use of our Accreditation Seals should contact their local BBB for program information and Accreditation guidelines.

Any use of these trademarks by others must be with the express, written permission of IABBB. It is IABBB policy to take action against all unauthorized use of its trademarks.

What happens when a business misuses a BBB® trademark?

In most instances, when we advise a business that it is misusing or infringing our trademarks, the business readily complies with our request to modify its advertising or website. From time to time, however, IABBB has had to file claims to suspend their website or in a worst-case scenario, sue infringers. We also try to advise the public about companies that continue, without authorization, to use our trademarks by putting up an alert on their business profile (if they have one).