Scrapy Trademark Usage Policy
Effective date: July 22nd, 2026
Scrapy is an open-source project. However, because we make our code available to download and modify under the BSD 3-Clause license, proper use of our trademarks is essential to protect the identity, reputation, and goodwill of the Scrapy open-source project while encouraging community adoption, extension, and support. Proper trademark use informs users whether or not the Scrapy Project stands behind a product or service.
When using Scrapy trademarks—including the Scrapy name and associated visual assets (collectively, the “Marks”)—you must comply with this policy.
1. When do I need specific permission to use a Scrapy trademark?
The core rule of this policy is simple: You must never use the Marks in a way that implies official sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement by the Scrapy Project or Zyte where none exists.
Permitted Uses (No Written Permission Needed)
You may do the following without receiving specific prior written permission from Zyte, provided the use is factual:
- Wordmark in Text: Use the Scrapy wordmark in text to truthfully refer to and/or link to unmodified Scrapy programs, products, services, and technologies.
- Unmodified Redistribution: Package and redistribute unmodified copies of the official Scrapy source code or binaries (e.g., within a Linux distribution repository).
Uses Requiring Prior Written Permission
All other uses of a Scrapy trademark require prior written permission from Zyte. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Any use of a Scrapy trademark or confusingly similar term in a domain name or subdomain (e.g., scrapy-expert.com or scrapy.cloudservice.net). Contact legal@zyte.com for more information.
- Use of “Scrapy” in the name of a commercial software tool, SaaS platform, cloud hosting service, or consulting business.
- Naming a paid conference, commercial event, or major promotional gathering (e.g., “The Scrapy Global Summit”).
2. When allowed, how should I use a Scrapy trademark?
Do:
- Give the Scrapy wordmark adequate and reasonable clear background space from other elements on a web page or document so it remains distinct and legible.
- Include a clear and visible trademark attribution notice, such as: “Scrapy is a trademark of Zyte Group Limited (‘Zyte’) in Ireland and other countries.”
Don’t:
- Don’t use Scrapy trademarks in the core name of your business, product, service, app, publication, or other commercial offering.
- Don’t use marks, company names, slogans, domain names, or designs that are confusingly similar to Scrapy trademarks.
- Don’t display Scrapy trademarks more prominently than your own product, service, or company name.
- Don’t modify, stretch, distort, alter the color palette, or fuse the Scrapy trademark with your own company logo, product marks, or text strings.
- Don’t use Scrapy trademarks on physical merchandise for sale (e.g., t-shirts, mugs, stickers) or for commercial promotional distribution without authorization.
3. Additional Guidelines for Specific Contexts
Plugin, Extension, & Add-on Guidelines
Your developer name and everything about your plugin or extension (including the name, icon, description, and graphics) must be unique and free of Scrapy trademarks unless you have written permission, or you are strictly using the wordmark to describe compatibility. Your icon and name must denote your own unique identity to signal clearly that there is no official affiliation. For example:
- Incorrect: “Scrapy FancyPlugin”
- Acceptable: “FancyPlugin for Scrapy”
Social Media Guidelines
The name, handle, and description of your social media account, page, or community cannot begin with a Scrapy trademark. For example, naming an account “Scrapy Representatives” is prohibited, whereas “Fans of Scrapy” or “Information about Scrapy Software” is acceptable.
Open Source Project Guidelines
The BSD 3-Clause license governs copyright permissions for the code itself but does not grant permission to use Scrapy trademarks. If you choose to build on, fork, or modify Scrapy’s open-source code for your own project:
- You must choose branding and trademarks that denote your own unique identity to clearly signal that there is no affiliation with or endorsement by the Scrapy Project or Zyte.
- You must NOT use any Scrapy trademark in connection with the user-facing name or branding of your project. Do not use prefixes or suffixes like “Scrapy-[Something]”.
- You may state in words that your project is “based on Scrapy technology” or “compatible with Scrapy” if true, as long as you prominently display the notice: “[Brand Name] and [Product Name] are not officially associated with the Scrapy Project or Zyte.”
Cloud-based & SaaS Services
If you offer a cloud-based or hosted service providing remote access to Scrapy software, you must not use Scrapy trademarks in the name of your product or service (e.g., “Scrapy Cloud Hosting” requires written approval). You may state in words that your service features or provides access to unaltered Scrapy software, if true. For example: “[Your Product Name] featuring Scrapy software” is acceptable; “Scrapy [Your Product Name]” is incorrect.
4. Summary Matrix for Quick Reference
| Context | Word Mark (“Scrapy”) | Official Logo Graphics |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source Plugins / Extensions | Allowed (e.g., “Plugin X for Scrapy”) | Allowed if clearly external & undistorted |
| Tutorials / Educational Blogs | Allowed (Descriptive use) | Allowed (Descriptive context) |
| Commercial Hosting / SaaS | Requires Written Approval | Requires Written Approval |
| Domain Names & Subdomains | Requires Written Approval | Prohibited |
| Merchandise for Sale | Requires Written Approval | Requires Written Approval |
5. Policy Violations and Contact
If you become aware of any unauthorized use, confusing exploitation, or trademark misuse, please report it immediately. For questions or to apply for commercial licensing approval, please contact the Scrapy Project Maintenance Team at legal@zyte.com.
Legal Disclaimer: The Scrapy Project reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. This document manages trademark rights and does not alter the open-source copyright permissions granted under the Scrapy software license (BSD 3-Clause).