IP Policy

Intellectual Property & Trademark Usage Policy

The Business Development Association (BDA) is the global authority for setting business development standards and issuing professional certifications and accreditations. As an internationally recognised organisation registered in the United Kingdom, all trademarks, logos, certification names, and frameworks such as BDA BoCK® are considered protected intellectual property.

1
Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

  • Individuals holding BDA professional certifications (BDA-CP™, BDA-SCP™)
  • Members in BDA membership programmes (individual or institutional)
  • Accredited institutions (AAI™, AIDP™, COE™, CSIS™, RPDE™)
  • Authorised partners (ECP™, PDP™, AKP™, SAP™)
  • Approved trainers and facilitators

2
Registered Trademarks & Intellectual Property

The following marks are registered and owned by BDA:

BDA® & BDA BoCK™

The primary BDA brand and its Body of Competency & Knowledge framework.

BDA-CP™ & BDA-SCP™

Professional certification marks for Certified Professional and Senior Certified Professional.

Accreditation Marks

AAI™, AIDP™, COE™, CSIS™, RPDE™ — institutional accreditation programme marks.

Training Materials

All training materials, guides, models, and exam content are copyrighted works.

3
Rules for Logo & Trademark Usage

Certification Logos (BDA-CP™, BDA-SCP™)

  • May only be used by individuals who have earned and currently maintain their certification.
  • Logos must be removed once certification has expired or is not renewed.

Accreditation Logos (AAI™, AIDP™, COE™, CSIS™, RPDE™)

  • Accredited institutions may use the corresponding logo in official marketing materials and websites, provided they comply with BDA's brand identity guidelines.
  • Use is strictly limited to the approved scope of accreditation and must not imply broader recognition than granted.

BDA Master Logo

  • The primary BDA logo may only be used with prior written authorisation, except for formally approved uses by authorised partners.

4
Prohibited Uses

The following uses of BDA intellectual property are strictly prohibited:

  • Reproducing or distributing BDA's educational or exam content without authorisation.
  • Using trademarks on products or services not officially linked to BDA.
  • Altering logos, changing colours, or merging BDA marks with other logos.
  • Claiming or suggesting certification, membership, or accreditation that has not been officially awarded.

5
Protection & Enforcement

BDA actively protects its intellectual property rights worldwide. Measures include continuous monitoring of unauthorised use, issuing cease-and-desist notices to violators, and pursuing legal proceedings under UK law and international intellectual property treaties when necessary.

6
Reporting Misuse

BDA encourages individuals and organisations to report any misuse or unauthorised use of its trademarks or logos.

Report IP Misuse

legal@bda-global.org