TIP Protocol Brand Guidelines

The Trust Identity Protocol (TIP) is the open, post-quantum standard for verified human identity and AI content provenance on the internet, built and operated by The AI Lab Intelligence Unobscured, Inc., a Delaware C-Corporation founded by Dinesh Mendhe in 2026. The protocol is implemented under permissive licenses so that any individual, journalist, educator, nonprofit, government, or small business can adopt it without payment or permission. The brand is held under U.S. trademark registrations and is not in the public domain. This separation matters because it protects readers, regulators, and authentic implementers from misuse of the marks by parties whose conduct would damage trust in the protocol.

These brand guidelines establish four things:

1. Which marks are protected and how to refer to them in writing
2. How to display the marks in interfaces, publications, packaging, and code
3. Which organizations may use which designations (Member, Partner, Verification Provider, Certified Implementation)
4. How to co-display TIP with standards bodies and regulators including EU AI Act Article 50 compliance contexts

If you intend to use any TIP mark in any way not expressly permitted on this page, write to tip@theailab.org with a visual mockup of the intended use and a one-paragraph description of the context. Permission decisions typically return within ten business days.

The following names, marks, and visual elements are owned by The AI Lab Intelligence Unobscured, Inc. and are protected under the U.S. Lanham Act, the EU Trade Mark Regulation 2017/1001, the U.K. Trade Marks Act 1994, and analogous laws of other jurisdictions.

Protected trademarks

Other protected brand elements

• The TIP logo wordmark and the TIP iD icon
• The Origin Code letter pairs (OH, AA, AG, MX) as used in connection with TIP
• The TIP visual identity, including the gold accent color #C9A84C and the navy primary color #0B1629 as applied to TIP-branded surfaces
• The slogan "Intelligence, Unobscured."
• Domain names containing TIP or TheAILab
• The AI Trust ID Seal in all colorways, sizes, and tiers

It should always be clear to anyone viewing a third-party site, app, or publication that the third party does not represent The AI Lab and is not the source of the TIP Protocol. Three principles guide every brand decision below:

Clarity of source

A reader, regulator, or buyer encountering TIP in any context should be able to tell within a glance whether they are looking at content from The AI Lab itself, content from an accredited Verification Provider, content from a Member organization, or content from an independent third party using the protocol under TIPCL-1.0.

No suggestion of endorsement

Permitted brand use does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, partnership, or any commercial relationship between the user and The AI Lab unless such a relationship exists and is documented in a written agreement. Phrases such as "endorsed by TIP," "official TIP partner," "approved by The AI Lab," or "in partnership with TIP" require a written agreement before use.

No appropriation of the marks

Implementing TIP from the open specification is fully permitted under CC-BY 4.0. Calling your implementation "TIP," "TIP-compatible," "TIP Protocol," or any visually or aurally similar variation is not permitted without a written license. Choose your own product name and use the rules in Section 5 below to describe your TIP integration.

Do

• Use TIP (all uppercase) as the abbreviated form
• Use Trust Identity Protocol as the full form, with each principal word capitalized
• Use TIP-ID (with hyphen, all uppercase) for the identity record
• Use CTID (all uppercase) for the content provenance identifier
• Use lowercase i, uppercase D for TIP iD only when referring to a person's individual TIP iD as a token (parallel to ORCID's iD convention)
• Include the trademark symbol (TM) on the first or most prominent appearance of any protected mark in a document: TIP™, Trust Identity Protocol™, AI Trust Council™, AI Trust Registry™, Global Seal of Trust™, AI Trust ID™

Do not

• Do not use TIP as a verb ("we TIPped our content"). It is a noun referring to the protocol.
• Do not pluralize ("multiple TIPs") or use possessive ("TIP's"). Use "multiple TIP registrations" or "the TIP registration belonging to..."
• Do not spell out the abbreviation as anything other than "Trust Identity Protocol"
• Do not hyphenate as "T-I-P" or "T.I.P."
• Do not apply the TIP name to services other than implementations of the Trust Identity Protocol
• Do not write "TIP iD" with uppercase I and uppercase D ("TIP ID") in formal contexts; the lowercase-i convention distinguishes the individual identifier from generic ID acronyms

Naming for your TIP integration

If your product, service, or implementation uses TIP Protocol, you may say "Built on TIP Protocol," "TIP-compatible," "Implements the Trust Identity Protocol," or "Supports the Trust Identity Protocol." You may not name your product "TIP [anything]" or use the TIP wordmark as part of your product name.

Example. A WordPress plugin that signs content with TIP is correctly named "Author Verifier" or "OriginSign" or any name of the developer's choosing, and the long description may say "Signs your posts with TIP Protocol (Trust Identity Protocol) so readers can verify your authorship." It may not be named "TIP Plugin" or "WordPress TIP" or any close variant.

TIP logos and icons must be used as provided in the official asset library at theailab.org/brand/assets. The logos must not be altered, recolored, rotated, distorted, animated, surrounded by added decoration, or composited with other marks without prior written permission.

The TIP wordmark

The TIP wordmark renders the four letters "TIP" in the official typeface and color. The wordmark may appear in two configurations:

• Gold wordmark (#C9A84C) on a dark navy background, used in headers, presentation hero slides, and high-contrast moments
• Navy wordmark (#0B1629) on a light background, used in print documents, technical specifications, and body text contexts

Minimum clear space around the wordmark equals the height of the "T" letter on all four sides. Minimum size is 24 pixels in digital contexts and 0.5 inch in print.

The TIP iD icon

The TIP iD icon is a small shield containing the four-letter Origin Code, used to indicate that a piece of content carries a verified TIP signature. Display rules for the iD icon mirror ORCID's approach: the icon must appear at the same baseline as the surrounding text, the full tip:// URI may be hyperlinked alongside the icon, and at least 50% of the icon's width must remain as buffer space on all sides.

Member, Partner, and Verification Provider badges

Organizations that hold a current Member, Partner, or accredited Verification Provider status receive a designation badge from The AI Lab. The badge may be displayed on the holder's website, marketing materials, and signage. The badge must be removed within thirty (30) calendar days if the holder loses the underlying status (see Section 11).

The four Origin Codes (OH, AA, AG, MX) are the user-facing layer of TIP compliance with every global AI regulation that requires content disclosure, including EU AI Act Article 50. Each code is rendered as a small pill or shield with the code letters and the standardized color associated with that code. Origin Code badges must not be altered in any way that changes their meaning.

Rules for Origin Code display

• Always use the two-letter code in capital letters (OH, AA, AG, MX). Do not write "Oh" or "ah" or expand to "Original-Human" with a hyphen.
• Always use the standardized color associated with each code. Do not invent new colors for Origin Codes.
• The code letters and the descriptive name (Original Human, AI-Assisted, AI-Generated, Mixed) must appear together on first reference in a document. Subsequent references may use the code alone.
• Origin Code badges may be displayed alongside the AI Trust ID Seal, the TIP iD icon, a trust score, or a verification timestamp, but they must not replace the AI Trust ID Seal.
• For accessibility, the code and color must be paired with text. Color alone does not convey the origin to readers using screen readers or with color-vision differences.

The TIP-ID is the persistent identifier for a verified human or organization on the TIP network. The CTID is the persistent identifier for a registered piece of content. Both are designed to be displayed in publications, bylines, citations, and reference lists. The display conventions below mirror ORCID's iD display rules so that researchers and journalists can adopt TIP without learning a new pattern.

TIP-ID format

A TIP-ID is rendered as a full URI: tip://id/US-js4a8b2c1d9e7f30. The 2-letter country code (US, IN, GB, DE, FR, etc.) reflects the jurisdiction of the issuing Verification Provider. The 16-character fingerprint identifies the individual TIP-ID holder.

CTID format

A CTID is rendered as a full URI: tip://c/OH-3400957c8e2e5d-4a85. The two-letter Origin Code (OH, AA, AG, MX) is followed by a 14-character hash fragment of the canonical content and a 4-character author fingerprint.

Recommended display in a byline

The recommended byline format places the author's name first, then the TIP iD icon, then the TIP-ID URI as a hyperlink:

Dinesh Mendhe ◆ tip://id/US-js4a8b2c1d9e7f30

Recommended display in a citation

The recommended citation format places the CTID at the end of the citation, with the Origin Code displayed inline:

Mendhe, D. (2026). Trust Identity Protocol Specification, Version 2.0. The AI Lab Intelligence Unobscured, Inc. OH tip://c/OH-3400957c8e2e5d-4a85

Copy-paste fallback for posts without the browser plugin

When a creator copies a CTID into a social media post, an email, a forum thread, or a chat that does not render the inline verification badge, the system appends a verification line. The canonical two-line fallback format is:

tip://c/OH-3400957c8e2e5d-4a85
Click to find out #HumanOrAI

Hyperlink target

TIP-ID and CTID URIs should be hyperlinked to the public TIP resolver. The protocol-level URI tip://... may be wrapped as an HTTPS URL for browser compatibility, with the canonical form being https://tip.theailab.org/r/{ctid} or the equivalent resolver of the integrating Verification Provider.

Color palette

The TIP color palette is built around a dark navy primary, a warm gold accent, and a calm cream background. The four Origin Code colors are used only within Origin Code contexts and may not be used as substitutes for the brand accent in other surfaces.

Typography

The TIP brand uses three typeface families. All three are available under permissive open licenses so any integrator may adopt the visual system without licensing concerns.

• Libre Franklin (SIL Open Font License) for headings, titles, and prominent UI elements. Use weights 500 to 700 for emphasis.
• DM Sans (SIL Open Font License) for body text, long-form reading, and supporting UI. Use weights 300 to 500.
• JetBrains Mono (SIL Open Font License) for code, CTIDs, TIP-IDs, hash fragments, and any monospaced technical content.

System-font fallbacks are acceptable when the primary typefaces cannot be served. The fallback stack should be the closest equivalent in the receiving operating system.

Spacing and rhythm

The TIP visual system uses a base unit of 4 pixels with a typographic scale of 1.125. Section spacing follows multiples of 32 pixels. Card padding follows multiples of 16 pixels. This consistency makes co-display with other brands more harmonious.

In applications and products

You may display the TIP iD icon, the Origin Code badges, and the AI Trust ID Seal within your application or product, alongside the verification flow, to indicate that the user is interacting with TIP-verified content or registering content via TIP Protocol. You may not use the TIP wordmark or the AI Trust Council, AI Trust Registry, or Global Seal of Trust marks as your product name, product logo, or visual identity.

Look and feel

Do not copy the visual design of theailab.org, tip.theailab.org, or any subdomain operated by The AI Lab. Your product should have its own distinct visual identity. You may use the color palette and typography described in Section 8 to harmonize TIP-related surfaces within your product, but the overall look must be clearly your own.

Verification Providers (VPs) are organizations accredited by The AI Lab to issue TIP-IDs under the rules of TIP Terms of Service Section 6. Accredited VPs receive specific permissions for the TIP brand, in exchange for specific operational obligations.

What a VP may display

• The "Accredited Verification Provider" badge issued by The AI Lab, with the VP's jurisdiction tier indicator (Green, Amber, or Red)
• The phrase "Accredited TIP Verification Provider" in marketing materials, alongside the VP's own brand
• The TIP iD icon and the Origin Code badges within the VP's identity-issuance product
• The AI Trust ID Seal generated through the official Registry, displayed on TIP-IDs issued by the VP

What a VP may not display

• The TIP wordmark as part of the VP's product or company name
• The phrase "Official TIP Provider" (there is no such designation; all accredited VPs are equal)
• The phrase "Endorsed by The AI Lab" unless a separate written endorsement exists
• The AI Trust ID Seal in any colorway, size, or variant that the VP self-generated rather than receiving from the Registry

Loss of VP status

If a VP loses accreditation under TIP Terms of Service Section 6.5 (REVOKE_VP), the VP must remove all TIP brand display from its website, marketing materials, product, and signage within thirty (30) calendar days. Continued display after loss of status is a trademark violation enforceable under the Lanham Act and analogous laws of other jurisdictions.

Beyond the Verification Provider role, The AI Lab recognizes two organizational designations that confer specific brand-use permissions.

TIP Member

A TIP Member is an organization that has joined the public-facing membership of the AI Trust Council. Members receive a designation badge, voting rights within their constituency (Creators, Institutions, Publishers, Operators, or Partners), and listing on the AI Trust Council member roster. Member status is granted by the Council under the procedures published in the Governance Framework.

TIP Partner

A TIP Partner is an organization that has signed a Partnership Agreement with The AI Lab for joint commercial, technical, or research activities. Partner designations may carry custom permissions specific to the partnership scope (for example, the right to co-brand a specific integration). Partner status is granted bilaterally by written agreement.

Badge display rules

The Member or Partner badge may be displayed:

• On the holder's website at a single location (typically the footer, the About page, or a dedicated Partners page)
• On the holder's marketing collateral (decks, brochures, press releases) in the standard footer or credits area
• At in-person events alongside the holder's own signage

The badge must not be displayed in ways that suggest the holder is an official spokesperson for TIP, the operator of TIP, or the publisher of these brand guidelines.

TIP is designed to be a technical-standard input to international standards organizations and a compliance mechanism for national and supranational regulators. Co-branding in these contexts is encouraged and follows different rules than commercial co-branding.

Standards bodies

When TIP is submitted as a standard contribution to NIST, ISO, IETF, W3C, ENISA, ETSI, BSI, or analogous bodies, the body's published documents may reference TIP by name and may display the TIP wordmark in editorial diagrams and tables. The standards body does not need to request permission for these references. The AI Lab requests notification (not approval) so the published reference can be cross-linked from theailab.org.

Regulators

When a regulator publishes guidance, advisories, or implementing acts that reference TIP as a recognized compliance mechanism, the regulator may display the TIP wordmark in the published guidance. The AI Lab will, on request, provide the regulator with high-resolution logo assets, an executive summary, a technical briefing, and a point of contact for ongoing implementation questions.

The EU AI Act Article 50 transparency obligations become legally enforceable on August 2, 2026. TIP Protocol provides the open, post-quantum infrastructure that makes Article 50 compliance routine. See theailab.org/eu-ai-act for the detailed compliance guide. The brand rules below govern how Article 50 implementers may co-display the TIP brand alongside their compliance statement.

"EU AI Act Article 50 compliant via TIP" badge

A platform, publisher, or generative AI provider that has implemented TIP Origin Codes (OH, AA, AG, MX) on its content surface and has subscribed to the published Article 50 Code of Practice may display the badge "EU AI Act Article 50 compliant via TIP" alongside the AI Trust ID Seal on its compliance disclosures, terms of service, and corporate website. The badge is issued by The AI Lab on request following a brief self-attestation of compliance. There is no charge for the self-attestation.

Co-display with the CE marking

The TIP brand may appear in the same regulatory disclosure block as the CE marking, the EU Trust Mark, and other EU-recognized compliance indicators. The TIP brand must not be co-displayed in a way that suggests TIP is itself a CE marking, a notified body designation, or a regulatory authority. TIP is a private-sector technical compliance mechanism, and the disclosure block must make this distinction clear.

EU language editions

The names "Trust Identity Protocol" and "TIP" remain in English in all EU language editions of compliance documentation, the same way the names "C2PA" and "GDPR" remain in their original form. Translators may add a parenthetical translation on first appearance (for example, in German: "Trust Identity Protocol (Vertrauens-Identitäts-Protokoll, TIP)") but the trademark itself stays in English.

Regulator engagement

The AI Lab has submitted TIP as a technical-standard input to ENISA, BSI, and the European AI Office under the Code of Practice consultation. Engagement on TIP-specific implementation questions from European regulators or national authorities should be directed to eu-policy@theailab.org.

Community-led websites that promote TIP adoption within a specific region, language community, professional sector, or interest area are encouraged. The AI Lab supports the formation of such communities and provides the following brand-use guidance.

Permitted

• Naming the community website with a URL path that includes "tip" (for example, universitysomething.edu/tip, journalismassociation.org/tip-protocol)
• Subdomain naming that includes "tip" (for example, tip.libraryassociation.org)
• Display of the TIP wordmark in the community website's hero, navigation, and content areas, alongside the community organization's own branding
• Linking back to theailab.org as the official TIP source

Not permitted without written approval

• Registering a domain name that uses TIP as the entire brand portion regardless of TLD (for example, tip.de, tip.eu, tip.org)
• Copying the visual design of theailab.org or tip.theailab.org
• Holding out the community as the official TIP source or as a representative of The AI Lab

Permission for non-standard usage

If a community wishes to use a non-standard domain pattern or visual approach, write to tip@theailab.org with a visual mockup and a one-paragraph description. Permission decisions typically return within ten business days.

Domains owned by The AI Lab

The following domains are owned and operated by The AI Lab and represent official sources of TIP content:

• theailab.org — corporate site, brand guidelines, policies, documentation
• tip.theailab.org — live protocol surface, public TIP resolver
• vp.theailab.org — Verification Provider portal
• badge.theailab.org — badge generation and validation

Domains using "tip" or "theailab" as the entire brand portion

Registration or use of a domain name in which "tip" or "theailab" or any confusingly similar string is the entire brand portion, regardless of top-level domain (.com, .org, .net, .ai, .io, .dev, .eu, .de, .fr, etc.), is reserved to The AI Lab and is not permitted to third parties. Existing third-party registrations of such domains will be addressed under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) and analogous national procedures.

Acceptable subdomain and path patterns

The cleanest pattern for an organization providing TIP-related information or services is to use a URL path:

• www.publisher.com/tip
• library.university.edu/tip
• newsroom.media.com/tip-protocol

Subdomain patterns are acceptable when the organization's own name appears in the parent domain:

• tip.publisher.com
• tipprotocol.library.org

Required attribution statement

Any document, presentation, marketing material, or product interface that uses any TIP-related trademark must include the following attribution statement at least once, typically in a footer, credits area, or legal notices section:

Trust Identity Protocol™, TIP™, AI Trust Council™, AI Trust Registry™, AI Trust ID™, The Global Seal of Trust™, Sentinel™, Guardian™, and Sovereign™ are trademarks of The AI Lab Intelligence Unobscured, Inc.

Contact for permissions

• General brand, trademark, and community questions: tip@theailab.org
• Verification Provider accreditation and branding: accreditation@theailab.org
• EU regulator and policy engagement: eu-policy@theailab.org
• Commercial licensing (above the free tier): licensing@theailab.org
• Press and journalism: press@theailab.org

License of this brand guidelines page

The text of these brand guidelines is published worldwide under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication so that any organization may copy, adapt, and integrate these rules into its own documentation. The CC0 dedication applies to the textual content of this page only and does not transfer any rights in the trademarks the guidelines protect. The protected marks remain owned by The AI Lab Intelligence Unobscured, Inc.

Effective version

These brand guidelines are Version 1.0, effective May 31, 2026. The current version is always published at theailab.org/brand-guidelines. Material changes will be announced in advance through the AI Trust Council mailing list and the public archive at theailab.org/insights.