IP use policy

Claristrat Method™ Intellectual Property & Methodology Use Policy

Last updated on December 17, 2025.

I honor the intellectual property rights of others and only use proprietary materials with permission or proper attribution.

International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics

1. Purpose

This policy defines the terms governing the use, attribution, and protection of Claristrat Institute’s proprietary methodologies, frameworks, pedagogical systems, and materials, including the Claristrat Core Method™ (CCM™).

It is intended to:

• ensure ethical and accurate representation of the Claristrat methodology,
• protect the integrity and coherence of the work,
• prevent confusion or misrepresentation in the market, and
• support fair, professional use by certified graduates.

This policy aligns with ICF ethical standards and applies to all participants, graduates, collaborators, and licensees of Claristrat Institute programs.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all participants and graduates of:

• the Claristrat Core Method™ Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (ICF Level 1), and
• all current and future Claristrat Institute programs, unless otherwise specified in a written licensing or partnership agreement.

This policy governs all professional use of Claristrat intellectual property, regardless of medium, geography, or client context.

3. Relationship to the Practitioner Use Summary

Claristrat publishes a Practitioner Use Summary titled “Using the Claristrat Core Method™ (CCM™) IP in Professional Practice.”

That summary provides a plain-language overview for graduates and is incorporated into this policy by reference.

In the event of any inconsistency, this policy controls.

4. Definition of Claristrat Intellectual Property

For purposes of this policy, Claristrat Intellectual Property includes all proprietary methodologies, frameworks, models, structures, pedagogical systems, and materials developed by Claristrat Institute, whether registered or unregistered, published or unpublished, including without limitation:

4.1 Core Methodologies and Frameworks

• the Claristrat Core Method™, also referred to as CCM™
• the Claripath™ framework (also referred to as the Claripath™ Wheel), including all phases, components, subcomponents, and their relationships
• the Claristrat Leadership Circuit™ (also referred to as the Claristrat Learning Circuit™)
• the Fibonacci Flow™
• the Claristrat Coaching Arc™ and its defined stages, notations, and micro-structures
• the Claristrat Coaching Competencies™

4.2 Pedagogical and Developmental Systems

• the Learning-by-Becoming™ method, including its experiential, identity-based, somatic, and systems-informed learning logic
• all learning progressions, sequencing logic, instructional architectures, and assessment designs
• all integration, reflection, and feedback loops used to support developmental learning

4.3 Materials and Practice Assets

• lesson copy, instructional texts, and explanatory materials
• audio recordings, guided practices, and experiential exercises
• video content and session recordings
• documents, manuals, primers, playbooks, and reference guides
• templates, worksheets, canvases, checklists, rubrics, assessments, and tools
• diagrams, maps, wheels, circuits, and visual representations including any populated, adapted, or client-specific versions thereof.

4.4 Derivative and Structurally Similar Works

Any adaptations, summaries, translations, re-labeling, or reformulations that retain substantially similar structure, sequencing, logic, or developmental intent, regardless of changes in naming or presentation.

5. Ownership

All Claristrat Intellectual Property is and remains the exclusive property of Claristrat Institute.

Participation in a Claristrat program does not transfer ownership rights. No license is granted by implication, estoppel, or course of dealing.

6. Authorized Use (Practice-Only License)

Graduates who successfully complete a Claristrat program and receive a Certificate of Completion are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• apply the Claristrat Core Method™ (CCM™) in their own professional coaching practice, with individual leaders or teams.

This license is:

• practice-only,
• personal to the graduate, and
• conditioned on continued compliance with this policy.

7. Prohibited Uses

Unless expressly authorized in writing by Claristrat Institute, the following uses are not permitted:

• white-labeling, renaming, or presenting Claristrat methodologies as independently developed
• teaching, training, certifying, or instructing others in the Claristrat methodology
• embedding Claristrat frameworks, diagrams, logic, or structures into client-owned or third-party intellectual property
• creating derivative tools, models, templates, or systems based on Claristrat IP
• using Claristrat IP in courses, workshops, internal trainings, publications, platforms, or products

These restrictions apply even where terminology is modified, if the underlying methodological logic remains materially the same.

8. Attribution and Naming Variations

Any permitted reference to Claristrat methodologies must include clear, accurate, and visible attribution.

Slight variations in naming, terminology, or labels that retain the same underlying logic or structure without proper attribution constitute a breach of this policy.

References using the abbreviation CCM™ are subject to the same attribution requirements as references using the full name Claristrat Core Method™.

9. Alignment of Existing Materials

If a participant or graduate is currently using Claristrat methodologies or logic in any materials without appropriate attribution, they are expected to update those materials promptly.

This provision is intended as a good-faith alignment step, not a punitive measure, and reflects Claristrat’s commitment to professional clarity and ethical practice.

Questions or uncertainty may be directed to institute@claristrat.com.

10. Adherence to Professional Norms

Use of the Claristrat Core Method™ (CCM™) and related intellectual property implies adherence to the professional, ethical, and representational norms described in this policy and the associated Practitioner Use Summary.

These norms are integral to responsible use of the methodology.

11. Enforcement and Remedies

Unauthorized use of Claristrat Intellectual Property may result in:

• requirement to cease use and correct materials
• revocation of the practice license by the Claristrat Institute and the ICF
• injunctive or equitable relief where appropriate

Claristrat Institute seeks first to resolve issues through clarification and alignment. Persistent or willful misuse may require formal enforcement.

12. Governing Law

This policy is governed by the laws of the State of New York, USA, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

13. Contact

For questions regarding intellectual property use, attribution, or licensing:

Email: institute@claristrat.com
Mail: Claristrat Institute, 400–418 Broadway St., Albany, NY 12207, USA