The American Physical Society has formally registered the trademark for its logos in four key global markets: the United States, Canada, European Union, and Japan. This move, extending beyond typical academic practice, underscores the Society’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property as a leading publisher of physics research. The APS Physics logo and the simpler “Physics” logo are both registered trademarks of the organization. Starting August 1, readers with APS member subscriptions will need to update their login procedures, utilizing member credentials instead of their existing APS Journal Account to access content; the Society notes this change is necessary to streamline access.
Beyond standard copyright protections, this registration of the journal’s name signals a proactive approach to brand management within the scientific publishing sphere. This change streamlines access for those utilizing personal subscriptions through their APS membership, and the Society provides multiple avenues for institutional and individual access. Researchers, librarians, and students can still utilize various login options, including Shibboleth/OpenAthens via their institutions or direct purchase of individual articles. Further information regarding these registrations and access options is available on the American Physical Society website.
This registration bolsters the Society’s rights and clarifies ownership of the highly-cited physics journal, ensuring consistent branding and preventing unauthorized use of its name. Access protocols are also undergoing refinement, with a shift in login procedures for members beginning August 1. Researchers, librarians, and students retain multiple login options, including institutional access via Shibboleth/OpenAthens, and the online ISSN is available for verification. These trademark registrations and evolving access methods reflect a proactive approach to managing the Society’s intellectual property and ensuring continued availability of its publications to the global physics community. Further details regarding these registrations and the updated login procedures are available through the APS website.
