Copyright and Trademark Warning
WARNING:
Are you using Belbin legally?
Please let us help you to access the legal versions.
Put simply, there is no such thing as a free Belbin test.
There is simply no free legal Belbin Questionnaire or free Belbin Test (whether you are a business, school, university, government department or consultant). If it's self scored and / or doesn't come from a licensed Belbin system, then it's simply not legitimate or legal.
Legal action will be taken against companies, institutions and individuals who persist in using unauthorised versions.
To date we have taken action against more than 400 copyright infringements.
Getting it right, Belbin's SPI is copyright of Belbin
Have you ever completed a Belbin questionnaire but didn’t get a detailed .pdf report with your results? Have you ever added up the scores yourself?
You may have seen or found a document that claims to be a Belbin test.
If so you were probably breaking Belbin’s copyright and you definitely missed out on the real Belbin.
So what’s the difference?
Belbin questionnaires can only be completed through our purpose built computer system, which analyses the results, comparing your scores to thousands of others and taking in the feedback of your colleagues for a full 360 degree view. We produce a detailed, unique and informative report which shows your whole spectrum of strengths and weaknesses – not just “which Team Role am I?”
We frequently receive enquiries requesting information on the copyright of Belbin materials. In particular, the use of the self-scoring paper Self-Perception Inventory (SPI) originally published in Meredith Belbin’s book, Management Teams: Why They Succeed or Fail (1981). To clarify our position, we own the copyright and do not allow this questionnaire to be reproduced in any form. Individuals may purchase the book (1st and 2nd editions) and complete the SPI for their own personal development, but any copying or wider usage is an infringement of copyright. The 3rd edition of Management Teams: Why They Succeed or Fail offers the reader one free online Belbin Individual Report.
What's wrong with using the self-scoring versions?
We do not allow the use of the self-scoring questionnaire. Apart from its reproduction being illegal and a breach of our copyright:
It has long been superseded by updated and superior versions (for example there is no Specialist role) - Lacking balance of observer input - Not properly normed - Does not offer any Team Role advice.
Belbin Associates and their licensed Distributors operate a business and a readily available service for accredited establishments who purchase at normal prices legitimate SPI reports for participant or student use.
Establishments ought to be aware of the wide and easy availability and take up for the proper Belbin accreditation and legitimate purchase of profiles and copyright warnings such as this.
The SPI is to be considered as a work in its entirety, and not as part of the larger “Management Teams” book. The SPI itself qualifies for copyright protection as an original literary work. The term of protection will expire 70 years after the end of the calendar year of the death of Dr Meredith Belbin. As the law presently stands (and there are no plans to change it in this respect).
Belbin is delighted for people to teach and reference the Model using the easily available free resources, but all SPI profiles must be generated from a licensed system.
To generate any actual profile using the name ‘Belbin’, must be from a licensed Belbin provider, failing to do so is also impacting upon a registered trade mark owned by Belbin Associates, registered for, amongst other goods and services, educational services relating to the field of team management. It will be an infringement of the rights in that registered trade mark for the name to be used so as to indicate a trading connection between a third party and Belbin Associates in relation to such educational services (or similar services). In this respect, Belbin Associates runs an extensive licensing operation under which third parties, and in particular educational and training establishments, are permitted legitimately to use the name Belbin to indicate their status as accredited organisation providing Belbin SPI profiles.
There is a clear and negative financial impact upon the copyright owner and their legitimate licensees because of such use. The infringing versions of a Belbin SPI are being used in place of Belbin’s well-known, established and easily accessed commercial versions.
If you are unsure about the testing your organisation is using, or would like further advice, please contact the Belbin office.
For further advice, please contact the Belbin office or the Distributor to be certain you are not breaking the law.
We will be delighted to help you to acquire and correctly use the legal and far more effective versions of The Belbin Model and our approved FREE resources. We would love to have you as a client and to help you make the best possible use of the model for your employees or students legally.
LET US HELP YOU TO USE THE LEGAL VERSIONS, AS WE'D ACTUALLY RATHER JUST HAVE YOU AS A LEGITIMATE CLIENT.
Contact us and we will be delighted to help you use the right Belbin products.
Email us at Team@Belbin.com.au or phone us on 1300 731 381 (we won't bite).