• Retention of Rights
• Persons Authorized to Use the VMI Marks
• Persons Authorized to Use the VMI Marks
• Non-Assignability and Non-Transferability of the Marks
• Proper Use of the CLNC^® Mark
• Proper Use of the NACLNC^® Mark
• Violation Reporting Responsibilities
• Infringement and Enforcement
• Policy Violations and Related Actions
• Certification Mark-Related Disciplinary Measures
• Questions Regarding Usage of the VMI Marks

Retention of Rights

Vickie Milazzo Institute retains any and all trademark, certification mark, service mark and other ownership rights concerning the CLNC^® certification mark and the NACLNC^® service mark (the "VMI Marks"). As part of this, we necessarily reserve, and may use, the full range of legal remedies available under applicable state and federal laws in order to protect the VMI Marks.

Persons Authorized to Use the VMI Marks

Only those registered nurses certified by Vickie Milazzo Institute, who maintain active CLNC^® certification status and are in good standing, are authorized to use the CLNC^® certification mark. The CLNC^® certification mark must be used to identify only those persons who have passed the CLNC^® Certification Examination administered by Vickie Milazzo Institute in accordance with the certification standards established by the NACLNC^® Certification Board.

Persons Authorized to Use the VMI Marks

Only those parties who maintain active CLNC^® certification status and are in good standing or those individuals, organizations, businesses or entities that have received written authorization from Vickie Milazzo Institute may use the NACLNC^® service mark.

It is the responsibility of each individual certified by the Institute to ensure that the use of the VMI Marks on any professional and/or business-related materials (e.g., brochures, advertisements, business cards, stationery, websites, telephone directory and professional association listings, signs and other similar marketing materials) do not conflict with this policy and any state and/or federal laws.

Non-Assignability and Non-Transferability of the Marks

Use of the CLNC^® certification mark is personal to those individuals who have been certified by Vickie Milazzo Institute, maintain active CLNC^® certification status and are in good standing, and may not be transferred or assigned to any other individual, organization, business or entity.

Use of the NACLNC^® service mark is personal to those individuals who have been certified by Vickie Milazzo Institute, maintain active CLNC^® certification status and are in good standing, and to those individuals, organizations, businesses or entities that have received written authorization from Vickie Milazzo Institute, and may not be transferred or assigned to any other individual, organization, business or entity.

Proper Use of the CLNC^® Mark

Once a person becomes certified through Vickie Milazzo Institute, part of the responsibility of being granted the Institute's CLNC^® certification mark entails using that certification mark properly. The ^® after CLNC^® indicates that CLNC^® is a federally registered certification mark belonging to the Institute.

Only those registered nurses certified by Vickie Milazzo Institute, who maintain active certification status and are in good standing, may use the CLNC^® certification mark in professional advertising and business-related materials including, but not limited to brochures, advertisements, business cards, stationery, websites, telephone directory and professional association listings, signs and other similar marketing materials. Use of the CLNC^® certification mark is subject to the following rules:

• Each certified individual may use the CLNC^® certification mark in conjunction with his/her name and the services related to the certification. The CLNC^® certification mark may only be displayed in association with the certified individual and, except when used as part of a credential, as described below, must always appear with the superscript "^®" registered trademark symbol. The CLNC^® certification mark may not be positioned, displayed or used in a manner which may lead the public to believe that a company (organization) itself is certified or otherwise endorsed by Vickie Milazzo Institute or NACLNC^®. Additionally, the CLNC^® certification mark may not be included in a business or domain name without the express written consent of Vickie Milazzo Institute.



• Proper use and appearance of the CLNC^® certification mark includes, but are not limited to, the following examples (note that when you are using the CLNC^® mark as part of a credential you do not have to use the ^®):
  
  
  • Judy Smith, RN, BSN, CLNC
  • Judy Smith, RN, CLNC, President



• The CLNC^® certification mark may be used in an email address so long as it is combined with another word, initials, term or name and does not contain any prohibited VMI Mark(s). Examples of proper use of the CLNC^® certification mark in an email address include, but are not limited to the following (Note that when you are using the CLNC^® mark as part of an email address you should not use the ^®):



• JudyCLNC@yourdomain.com
• SLSCLNC@adifferentdomain.com



• Improper use of the CLNC^® certification mark in an email address includes, but is not limited to the following:



• SmithCLNCServicesCompany@somedomain.com
• SmithCLNC^®@anydomain.com
• Judy@CLNCServices.net



• When using the CLNC^® certification mark in relation to providing services or designating your certification other than in your credentials or as your title, the CLNC^® certification mark must always appear with the superscript "^®" registered trademark symbol.



• Proper use and appearance of the CLNC^® certification mark other than in your credentials or as your title, include but are not limited to, the following examples:



• "after mastering the CLNC^® course materials"
• "attorneys consulting with a CLNC^® for case review"
• "providing CLNC^® services"
• "what a CLNC^® can do for your law practice"



• Improper use and appearance of the CLNC^® certification mark include, use of the CLNC^® certification mark in a business or domain name and also include, but are not limited to, the following examples such as when you are using the CLNC^® certification mark other than in your credentials or as your title:



• Smith CLNC Services Company
• Smith CLNC^® Services Company
• www.SmithCLNC.com

Proper Use of the NACLNC^® Mark

• The NACLNC^® service mark must be associated solely with the certified individual who is authorized to use the CLNC^® service mark. The NACLNC^® service mark must always appear with the superscript "^®" registered trademark symbol. Alternate forms of the NACLNC^® service mark include, but are not limited to, the words "National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants" without the "^®" symbol or "NACLNC^® Certified Legal Nurse Consultant." Such uses should NOT be used immediately following the name of the certified individual, or in any way that would create the appearance that the alternate mark form is being used as a title or degree. Additionally, the NACLNC^® service mark may not be included in a business or domain name without the express written consent of Vickie Milazzo Institute.



• Proper use and appearance of the NACLNC^® service mark includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:



• Judy Smith, RN, CLNC, member NACLNC^®
• Member NACLNC^® since 1994



• It is not required to use italics when using the NACLNC^® service mark.



• The NACLNC^® service mark may be used in an email address so long as it is combined with another word, initials, term or name and does not contain any prohibited VMI Mark(s). Examples of proper use of the NACLNC^® service mark in an email address include, but are not limited to the following (note that when you are using the NACLNC^® mark as part of an email address you should not use the ^®):



• JudyNACLNC@yourdomain.com
• SLSNACLNC@adifferentdomain.com



• Improper use of the NACLNC^® service mark in an email address includes, but is not limited to the following:



• SmithNACLNCServicesCompany@somedomain.com
• SmithNACLNC^®@anydomain.com
• Judy@NACLNCServices.net



• Improper use and appearance of the NACLNC^® service mark includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:



• Jane Doe, NACLNC Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
• Jane Doe, NACLNC^® Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
• Jane Doe, RN, member NACLNC
• Jane Doe, RN, NACLNC^®
• Doe NACLNC^® Services Company

Violation Reporting Responsibilities

A certified individual has the responsibility to report the unauthorized use, misuse or other violation of this policy to Vickie Milazzo Institute, including any circumstances where a certified individual becomes aware of the use of any of the VMI Marks by an individual who is not certified, or of the improper use of the VMI Marks by a certified individual, company or organization.

Infringement and Enforcement

Infringement of, or upon, any of the VMI Marks shall be challenged and any inappropriate or incorrect uses of the VMI Marks may be subject to legal action for mark infringement and any other claims if such uses are contrary to applicable state and/or federal law or the Institute's stated policy. The Institute will do so without regard to the certification status of the individual involved.

Policy Violations and Related Actions

Following receipt of information that an inappropriate or unauthorized use of any of the VMI Marks may have occurred, Vickie Milazzo Institute, in consultation with legal counsel, will determine if responsive actions will be taken. Failure to enforce the provisions of this policy or the failure to require the performance by the other party of any provision hereof shall not constitute or be construed as a present or future waiver of such provisions, nor in any way affect the ability to enforce each and every provision at any time thereafter. Vickie Milazzo Institute may take any of the following actions, or other appropriate measures. A certified individual is required to cooperate fully in the review and resolution of such matters.

• A copy of the alleged inappropriate or unauthorized VMI Mark(s) use will be obtained and reviewed to determine whether a violation of the policy has occurred;
• Upon determination of a policy violation, written correspondence will be issued by Vickie Milazzo Institute or its legal counsel to the individual(s) or organization(s) involved, explaining, among other items the nature of the objectionable or unauthorized use and the requirement that the individual(s) or organization(s) cease and desist from the objectionable or unauthorized use immediately and in the future. Vickie Milazzo Institute reserves, and may use, the full range of legal rights and remedies available under applicable state and federal laws in order to protect the VMI Marks.



• Upon determination of a policy violation as described above, Vickie Milazzo Institute or its legal counsel may request that the individual(s) or organization(s) accept and sign an agreement to, among other items cease the existing objectionable or unauthorized use; abide by all terms of the Vickie Milazzo Institute policy in the future; and provide corrected copies of all offending materials. Vickie Milazzo Institute reserves, and may use, the full range of legal rights and remedies available under applicable state and federal laws in order to protect the VMI Marks.



• Where an individual using the VMI Mark(s) in an objectionable or unauthorized manner fails to respond to, or refuses to comply with, Vickie Milazzo Institute requirements to cease and desist from such use, Vickie Milazzo Institute may initiate appropriate legal actions and/or disciplinary proceedings, as set forth in this policy.

Certification Mark-Related Disciplinary Measures

Following notice and a 15-day cure period, a certified individual who acts contrary to the terms of this policy or applicable law may be sanctioned by Vickie Milazzo Institute. Such sanctions may include but may not be limited to:

• Denial and rejection of the individual's recertification application.
• Private reprimand and censure.
• Certification probation for a stated period of time.
• Revocation of certification; including appropriate directives.

Questions Regarding Usage of the VMI Marks

The Institute is committed to meeting your needs. Questions concerning the proper use of any of the VMI Marks should be submitted to Vickie Milazzo Institute in writing. If you have any questions please use the Mentoring Request Form. Make your request via email to Mentor@LegalNurse.com, and we will respond within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Questions related to use of the VMI Mark(s) will not count as a mentoring request(s). If you have a question about usage of the VMI Mark(s) in your marketing materials, send a copy of those materials to the Institute with your request. We will review your materials within five business days of receiving them. A review solely for correct usage of the CLNC^® certification mark will not count as a mentoring request so long as the request is limited to analysis of the VMI Mark(s).

Vickie Milazzo Institute respects your concerns about usage of the VMI Marks. This policy will evolve along with our growing NACLNC^® Community. We encourage you to refer to this Policy on an ongoing basis in order to stay informed regarding our most current Policy. The Institute reserves the right to amend or change this Policy, at the Institute's sole discretion, from time to time or at any time without prior notice. Any changes in this Policy will be posted at www.LegalNurse.com and www.NACLNC.org.