PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING THE HUMANITY PROJECT® NAME

The Humanity Project® has operated as a nonprofit organization since 2005, and our name is a federally registered trademark.

Two unrelated organizations are currently operating online using “The Humanity Project” name at thehumanityproject.net and thehumanityproject.world. Neither organization is affiliated with, authorized by or connected in any way with the Humanity Project®.

Our attorney has made repeated efforts to contact these organizations and has formally demanded that they discontinue their unauthorized use of our federally registered name. Those efforts have not resolved the matter.

For more than 20 years, we have worked to build the Humanity Project® name and reputation through our programs promoting self-worth, equality and respect for all. We have an obligation to protect that name and, just as importantly, to make certain that our supporters and the public are not confused about which organization they are supporting.

We hope both organizations will respect our federally registered trademark and discontinue using the Humanity Project name without the need for further legal action.

Safeguarding Our Good Name

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The Humanity Project has taken an important legal step to more formally protect our name. And to safeguard the reputation we have worked so hard for nearly 13 years now to build among the community as well as the larger online world. As you see from the document shown here, we have won official U.S. government approval of "The Humanity Project" as a registered trademark. From now on, you often will see our name with a new symbol that claims this protection: The Humanity Project®. (You can see a larger image of the document below.)

In the past, we relied on the standard TM symbol for "trademark." This offers very real legal protections. But the ® symbol and designation strengthen our protection greatly. They allow us to more easily pursue legal action against those who infringe on the use of our name without express permission -- and to seek damages, court costs and legal fees. We've found this new level of legal protection necessary because ... well, because our name is such a good one, quite frankly. Several organizations have tried unsuccessfully over the years to borrow "the Humanity Project" without our permission. 

We make diligent efforts at the Humanity Project to deliver free programs for kids (and parents) that create meaningful changes in society. Every day, we promote our stated core values of respect, diversity and self-worth. To continue doing this, we must keep our brand safe in this complex Internet-driven world. That small symbol, ®, is a big help in accomplishing this goal. 

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