01 · Awards
Right of Use and Scope
Right to Use the Mark: The winner is granted a limited, non-exclusive and non-transferable right to use the official badge of the award in accordance with the category, rank and year obtained. Scope of Use: During its validity period, the badge may be used on the establishment's website, its official social media accounts, advertisements, printed materials, correspondence, marketing materials and the establishment's physical premises, in accordance with the approved identity guidelines. Advertising Materials: The winner may advertise that it has obtained the award during its validity period, provided that all statements used are accurate and do not go beyond the nature of the award, or the category or rank obtained.
02 · Awards
Period of Use and Expiry
Period of Use: The winner is entitled to use the winning title and the official badge for one year only from the date the award is obtained. The right of use ends automatically on the expiry of this period, unless the establishment obtains a new award in a subsequent cycle. Expiry of the Period of Use: After one year from the date the award is obtained, the establishment must stop using the badge as a current award or ranking. It may refer to the award as part of its historical record of achievements, provided that the year of winning is clearly stated and there is no suggestion that the ranking is still valid. Historical Use: After the award period has expired, phrases such as "Winner for 2027" or "First place in the (…) category for 2027" may be used as a historical reference to a past achievement. Phrases such as "current winner" or "currently ranked" may not be used after the one-year period has expired. Expiry of the Licence: The licence to use the winning title and the official badge ends automatically one year after the date the award is obtained, without the need for separate notice.
03 · Awards
Category, Rank and Year
Stating the Category and Rank: Use of the winning title or the badge must be linked to the category and rank obtained by the establishment. The award may not be used in a manner that suggests the establishment obtained a rank in another category in which it was not evaluated. Stating the Year of Winning: The year of winning must appear clearly on the badge or in the accompanying text, and may not be deleted or concealed in a manner that suggests the award is permanent.
04 · Awards
Integrity of the Badge and Logo
No Modification of the Badge: The design, colours, elements, proportions or text of the badge may not be modified, except in accordance with the options approved in the identity guidelines. No Removal of Information: The category, rank or year may not be removed from or concealed on the badge where this information forms part of the official design. Use of the Award Logo: Winning does not grant the establishment a general right to use the corporate logo of the award. The winner's right is limited to using the winner's badge or the materials authorised for use under the identity guidelines.
05 · Awards
Accurate Claims and Scope of the Award
Misleading Claims: It is prohibited to use the award in a manner that may suggest that all of the establishment's products, services or branches hold the ranking where the evaluation concerned only a specific service, product or branch. Branches: Where the evaluation was specific to a particular branch, use of the award is limited to that branch and may not be extended to the other branches, unless the evaluation methodology covered the brand or the establishment as a whole. Products and Services: Where the award relates to a specific product or service, it may not be used to promote other products or services in a manner that suggests they are covered by the award. Subsidiaries: Subsidiaries, sister companies or companies within the same group may not use the award unless they were expressly included within the scope of the evaluation.
06 · Awards
Transfer and Changes to the Establishment
Transfer of the Right of Use: The right to use the badge may not be sold, assigned or licensed to a third party without the prior written approval of the management. Change of Trade Name: If the trade name or trademark of the establishment changes during the validity period of the award, the management must be notified in order to determine whether the badge may continue to be used under the new name. Change of Ownership: A change in the ownership of the establishment does not automatically cancel the award; however, the management reserves the right to review continued eligibility to use the badge if the change has a material effect on the activity or service that was evaluated. Closure of the Establishment or Branch: If the establishment or branch that obtained the award ceases to carry on its activity, the right to use the badge to promote that activity ends.
07 · Awards
Withdrawal of the Award
Withdrawal of the Award: If the award is withdrawn or the result is cancelled, the right to use the title and the badge ends immediately, even if the one-year period has not yet expired. Removal of Materials After Withdrawal: Upon withdrawal of the award, the establishment must remove the badge and any claims relating to winning from its digital channels and from any materials that can be amended, within the period set by the management.
08 · Awards
Monitoring and Enforcement
Monitoring of Use: The management is entitled to monitor the use of the award's name, logo and badges and to take the necessary action upon discovering any unauthorised or misleading use. Request for Correction: The management may require the establishment to amend or remove any incorrect use of the mark or badge within a specified period. Unauthorised Use: Appropriate legal action may be taken to protect intellectual property rights, marks and logos against unauthorised use, imitation or distortion.
09 · Awards
Intellectual Property and Identity Guidelines
Intellectual Property: All rights relating to the award's name, logos, badges, designs, methodologies, visual materials and associated content remain the property of the rights holders, and participation or winning does not result in the transfer of any of these rights to the establishment. Identity Guidelines: Winning establishments must comply with the identity and badge usage guidelines issued by the management, and the guidelines form part of the terms of use of the award. Updating the Identity Guidelines: The identity guidelines may be updated from time to time, provided that this does not change the substance of the rank, category or year obtained by the establishment.
