Copyright and Trademark Warning
Are you using Belbin® legally?
We're here to help you access genuine, authorised Belbin assessments and resources.
Put simply, there is no authorised free or self-scoring Belbin® test or questionnaire.
Your organisation should use only genuine, licensed Belbin assessments and reports.
Employees and students deserve access to the latest, authorised and research-backed Belbin tools, reflecting the highest standards of professional, ethical and legal practice. Using outdated and unauthorised copies of Belbin assessments falls short of accepted professional standards for any world-class organisation.
The Belbin Self-Perception Inventory (SPI), questionnaires and assessment materials are protected by copyright. Unauthorised reproduction, distribution or use is not permitted, whether by businesses, schools, universities, government departments, consultants or individuals.
If you are using a self-scoring questionnaire, or an assessment that does not originate from an authorised Belbin system, you are not using a genuine, licensed Belbin assessment.
The Belbin® name is also a registered trademark, and unauthorised use that infringes trademark rights is prohibited.
Copyright and trademark infringements are taken seriously, and legal action may be pursued against organisations or individuals who continue to use unauthorised materials.
Belbin has successfully pursued more than 650 copyright infringement cases worldwide, involving educational institutions, businesses and other organisations.
We would much rather help you get it right. Belbin Australia can assist with genuine, licensed assessments, affordable educational and commercial options, and a wide range of free, authorised resources.
Getting it right
The Belbin Self-Perception Inventory (SPI) and associated assessment materials are protected by copyright, while the Belbin® name is a registered trademark.
Not sure whether the Belbin materials you're using are legitimate? Contact Belbin Australia. We're happy to help.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT A GENUINE BELBIN REPORT LOOKS LIKE
Getting Belbin Right
Belbin’s Self-Perception Inventory (SPI) is protected by copyright, and the Belbin name is a registered trademark. The only legal way to obtain a Belbin Report is from a licensed Belbin online account.
Have you ever completed something described as a “Belbin test” but received only a simple score or Team Role result?
Perhaps you added up the scores yourself, used a photocopied questionnaire, or found a downloadable version online.
If so, it is most likely not a genuine Belbin assessment.
What’s the difference?
A genuine Belbin assessment is completed through an authorised Belbin system.
Your responses are analysed against established norms and can be combined with Observer Assessments from colleagues to provide a valuable 360-degree view of how your Team Role behaviours are seen by others.
Rather than simply telling you “which Team Role you are”, a genuine Belbin Individual Report provides a detailed picture of your:
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Team Role strengths
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Possible weaknesses
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Preferred and manageable roles
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Observer feedback
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Contribution to a team
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Areas for development
The result is a personalised report designed for practical use in teams, leadership and personal development.
What about self-scoring Belbin questionnaires?
Older non-sanctioned self-scoring versions of the Belbin SPI have circulated for many years, including versions derived from early editions of Dr Meredith Belbin’s Management Teams: Why They Succeed or Fail.
These versions should not be copied or reproduced.
They are also significantly outdated compared with the current Belbin system. In particular, older self-scoring versions may:
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pre-date the Specialist Team Role
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lack current norms and scoring methodology
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provide no Observer Assessment or 360-degree input
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offer limited interpretation or development advice
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produce a much less useful result than a current Belbin report
Individuals who own an original publication containing the questionnaire may use it in accordance with the terms applying to that publication, but reproducing or distributing copies is not permitted.
Using Belbin legally
Belbin is very happy for organisations, trainers, educators and students to teach, discuss and reference the Belbin Team Role model.
There are also many approved Belbin resources available for this purpose. Feel free to get them from our website or contact us for tailored free teaching packages.
However, where an actual Belbin Team Role profile or assessment is being generated using the Belbin name, it should only be produced through an authorised Belbin system or licensed provider.
This protects Belbin’s copyright and trademark rights and, importantly, ensures participants receive the current and much more valuable version of the assessment.
Using Belbin with employees or students?
If your organisation, university, school or training provider is currently using Belbin, or is considering doing so, we’re very happy to help.
Belbin Australia can provide genuine Individual and Team Reports, advice on using Belbin effectively, access to current free resources and support for educators, trainers and organisations.
If you’re unsure whether the version of Belbin you are currently using is legitimate or up to date, simply contact us.
We’d much rather help you use Belbin properly than wave a copyright stick at you.
Email: Team@Belbin.com.au
Phone: 1300 731 381
We’ll be delighted to help, and we won’t bite.