Common Requests for the Fogg Behavior Model and BJ Fogg’s other Copyrighted Works

Dr. Fogg is always happy to give permission to use the Fogg Behavior Model graphic or his other intellectual property in academic work.

There are a few guidelines around how his IP may and may not be used in a thesis, paper, or project. His IP may not be modified in any way, nor may derivatives of it be created. His IP should stand alone and not be used in combination with other graphics. It should not be translated. If the work is in a language other than English, the elements of the copyrighted work (e.g., Behavior, Motivation, Ability, Prompt, Action Line) may be explained in text in the language in which the work is written.

Proper attribution and citation are required.

Academic work or projects may be shared with professors, classmates, and advisors as necessary.

If a project requires that his IP be video recorded in any way (such as in a presentation) or distributed beyond the scope of what is outlined above, details about those uses should be included in the request. A workaround or special license may be required.

There are no fees for using his copyrighted work in an academic paper, project, or thesis.

Ready to get permission? Go here.

BJ Fogg will license the Fogg Behavior Model graphic and his other copyrighted works in print books and ebooks, whether the author is working with a publisher or self-publishing. He is pleased to have his work shared when it benefits readers and makes a book better.

To authorize a use, Dr. Fogg needs to see that his copyrighted work has been studied and applied accurately. It is recommended that requestors carefully read Tiny Habits, the information at www.behaviormodel.org, or whichever primary sources are relevant to the use. If his copyrighted work is not being used correctly, the answer is "no." His team cannot edit a book or correct a manuscript.

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here.

If a use is approved, there are guidelines about how his IP may and may not appear in the book. The graphics may not be modified in any way (including translation). A derivative work may not be created. The copyrighted graphics may not be combined with any other graphics.

A preview of how his IP will appear in the book — as close to the final version for publication as possible — must be submitted. The requestor must agree to make any modifications Dr. Fogg requests. He would also appreciate the opportunity to review the use in the larger context of the manuscript before publishing.

There will be a licensing fee to use his IP in a book or ebook.

Ready to get permission? Go here.

Creating an app, software platform, or digital tool that uses BJ Fogg's copyrighted materials or trademarks is not allowed without a license.

This includes incorporating his frameworks (such as the Fogg Behavior Model), graphics, worksheets, written content, Tiny Habits® materials, or other proprietary assets into a product. It also includes using Tiny Habits® or other trademarks in an app name, branding, interface, marketing, or descriptions.

An app that embeds, adapts, digitizes, or builds directly on his intellectual property is considered a derivative work. Creating and distributing it without permission is a violation of copyright and trademark law. Anyone wishing to explore building an app or digital tool using his work must obtain explicit written permission and a licensing agreement before development or launch.

Please review the permissions information on this site and submit a request describing the concept, intended use, audience, and distribution model. His team will respond to let you know whether licensing is possible and what next steps would be required.

If you are simply inspired by the general ideas and are creating original content without using his protected materials, trademarks, or branded language, that is different. But when in doubt, ask first.

Submit a request. Go here.

BJ Fogg appreciates the desire to use and share his work. He is happy to give permission to use his copyrighted work in a one-time presentation or workshop.

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here.

His IP may not be modified in any way, nor may derivatives of it be created. His IP should stand alone and not be used in combination with other graphics or branding on a slide. It should not be translated.

If his IP is drawn on a whiteboard, it needs to be erased after the presentation. Participants may be directed to the original sources of that IP for reference after the presentation.

If the presentation or workshop will be video recorded, read on — this makes it a different use case.

Distributing slides

Slides containing his copyrighted work may not be posted online or distributed by email or any other means. Before distributing slides that were used in a live, unrecorded presentation, his copyrighted work must be removed and replaced with a URL where recipients can view it within the context of its original source (e.g., the Tiny Habits book, www.behaviormodel.org).

For in-person presentations, a single printed handout of the Fogg Behavior Model graphic or other copyrighted work used may be given to each attendee, as long as it stands on a page by itself.

Video recorded presentation or workshop

If a presentation or workshop is video recorded — whether in a face-to-face setting or online via Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms — use of the Fogg Behavior Model or Dr. Fogg's other copyrighted works will not be authorized. When his IP is part of a video recording, that video is considered a derivative work, the creation and distribution of which is the exclusive right of the copyright holder. Creating and/or distributing derivatives without permission or a license is an infringement of copyright.

If it is known or anticipated that a presentation or workshop will be video recorded, workarounds are suggested instead.

If the presentation will not be video recorded and permission is needed, go here.

If you aren’t video recording your presentation and would like to ask permission, go here.

Please first read the sections above on presentations and workshops and commercial courses and classes to see what is relevant.

If the presentation or workshop will be given a few times in a year, it will be treated as a one-time event and each specific use will need to be authorized before it happens. There will be a fee to license Dr. Fogg's IP each time it is used in a presentation.

If the plan is to share more frequently, please read as much relevant information as possible on this site, then get in touch so his team can learn more and determine the best way forward. Licensing ongoing use may require a special agreement, and fees will be involved.

If you are ready to get in touch about this use, please go here.

Using BJ Fogg's intellectual property in a newsletter or email blast is complicated. If a newsletter or email contains his copyrighted work — such as the Fogg Behavior Model graphic — a derivative work has been created. The creation and distribution of derivative works are the exclusive right of the copyright holder. Sending out a newsletter with his copyrighted work without authorization is considered a violation of copyright law.

Dr. Fogg rarely gives authorization to use his copyrighted work in newsletters or marketing emails. Once his work has been distributed digitally, it becomes much harder to maintain the integrity of his intellectual property.

There are some suggested workarounds that allow his work to be shared with an audience while reducing the risk of it being compromised.

For those who still wish to include his copyrighted work, a draft of the newsletter or email must be submitted before a licensing agreement authorizing the use will be sent.

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here. For this type of licensing agreement there will also be a minimum fee of $150.

To seek permission for this kind of use, start here.

BJ Fogg is always pleased when people want to share his work to help others understand behavior and do good things in the world. This can take the shape of white papers, reports, handouts, brochures, and other offerings that are created and distributed.

When his copyrighted work is included in something created for customers or an audience, that piece becomes a derivative. The creation and distribution of derivatives are the exclusive right of the copyright holder. Posting a white paper online for download or creating a client report that is emailed out with his copyrighted work in it without authorization is considered a violation of copyright law.

Authorizing others to create derivatives and distribute his intellectual property digitally creates problems, as it becomes much more difficult to protect the fidelity of his copyrighted work.

Authorization is also required to create a brochure or handout containing his copyrighted work that is physically distributed or made available.

Where to go from here

One option is to use some of the suggested workarounds instead.

Another option is to obtain a license for the use. To authorize a use, Dr. Fogg needs to see that his work has been used accurately. It is recommended that requestors carefully read Tiny Habits, the information at www.behaviormodel.org, or whichever primary sources are relevant to the use. If the use isn't correct, the answer is "no." His team cannot edit or correct submitted work. Requestors should do their homework before asking for authorization to use his IP.

Dr. Fogg understands that including his copyrighted work can make a piece better. If the work shines a light on his book or life's work to make a difference in the world and is mutually beneficial, there is a higher likelihood that the use will be authorized.

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here. There will be a minimum licensing fee of $150 to use his IP in this way.

If a use is approved, there are a few guidelines about how his IP may and may not be used. The graphic may not be modified in any way (including translation). Other derivative works may not be created. The graphic may not be combined with any other graphics.

A preview of how his IP will appear in the final piece — as close to the final version as possible — must be submitted. The requestor must agree to make any modifications Dr. Fogg requests.

BJ Fogg appreciates the desire to share his copyrighted work with those being taught or trained. He wants to support that use while ensuring the quality and integrity of his work in Behavior Design.

When someone wants to create a course or class — online or in person — or share his copyrighted work with clients or customers as part of ongoing work, an annual licensing arrangement is required, usually with fees involved.

When original work (slides, videos, courses, blog posts, articles, handouts, newsletters, email blasts, graphics, etc.) is created with his IP or copyrighted material in it, or based on his IP, it becomes a derivative work. The creation and distribution of derivatives are the exclusive right of the copyright holder. Creating and/or distributing derivatives without permission or a license is an infringement of copyright.

His intellectual property represents 20+ years of research, thinking, and life's endeavor. Dr. Fogg wants people to learn about it and share it. When an ongoing class, workshop, or client engagement has more value because his intellectual property is being used, he believes there should be a compensatory relationship around that. He pays IP lawyers and others to help share and maintain the fidelity of his work.

Teaching Tiny Habits

The only authorized way to teach the Tiny Habits method in a commercial course is to certify as a Tiny Habits coach. As a certified Tiny Habits coach, an instructor could create their own course, though this requires a special agreement and would need to be created and hosted on the Tiny Habits Kajabi learning platform, not on a personal website.

Another path for teaching students or clients about Tiny Habits is:

• Use only basic information about Tiny Habits (a mention and a brief summary that falls under Fair Use)

• Point people to the free 5-day program to learn more

• Suggest Tiny Habits recipes for a specific audience, allowing participants to draw from those suggestions for the habits they practice during the 5-day program

This path allows for specific habit suggestions while offloading the content and coaching to the established 5-day program.

Another option is to have everyone in the course purchase the Tiny Habits book. With the paperback now available at a reasonable cost, instructors can refer to specific pages and discuss how students and participants can use that information and the exercises in the book — without reteaching Tiny Habits or violating copyright law.

Using the Fogg Behavior Model

Anyone wishing to use the Fogg Behavior Model in a commercial course delivered in person or online should get in touch. Dr. Fogg will need to know more about the intended use within the course, expected distribution, price point, and additional details. Drafts will need to be submitted, the use approved, and a custom licensing agreement with fees will be required.

Academic and classroom use

Academics or other teachers creating online or recorded classes who wish to use his copyrighted work must receive authorization from Dr. Fogg first. Workarounds may be suggested if video or other materials will be archived or uploaded to an institution's servers and made publicly available.

If teaching an academic class in person or live streamed without video recording or posting content online publicly, authorization is straightforward to obtain.

Please note there is normally a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. Learn about that and request a fee waiver for educational use here.

Ready to take the next step to get permission? Go here.

Video has become ubiquitous in an increasingly online world. Using BJ Fogg's intellectual property in video recordings that are posted online or otherwise shared is not allowed. Video containing his copyrighted work is considered a derivative work, and creating and distributing it is a violation of copyright law.

Please take a look at the suggested workarounds for video recording here.

For live-streamed video that is not recorded, please read the use case particular to the situation on this site for next steps.

BJ Fogg wants his work to be shared, and most people think of social media as a great way to share widely.

What someone posts on social media belongs to them. His copyrighted work belongs to him and may not be posted or shared on social media.

Links to the original source (www.behaviormodel.org) or his websites may be shared so followers can learn more.

Aspects of his work that fall under Fair Use may be shared, but it is important to get informed first to avoid copyright infringement.

For anyone writing an article on Medium or LinkedIn, please read the information on this page about posting online articles to learn how this can be done with permission.

BJ Fogg is pleased to have his work shared and referenced in a blog post or other article posted online.

He recommends that his work be represented as smartly and accurately as possible. Requestors should read Tiny Habits, study his websites, and learn before writing. His team cannot edit or correct submitted articles. If what has been written is not accurate, the answer is "no."

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here.

When a draft is ready for review, it should be submitted indicating where his copyrighted work is intended to appear. Once approved, a licensing agreement specific to the use will be provided.

No modifications may be made to his copyrighted work, and it should be featured alone — not in combination with other images or text. Relevant hyperlinks to his work should be added to the article for readers to click through and learn more.

There may be a minimum fee of $150 for this license.

BJ Fogg is pleased to have his work shared and referenced in a printed article or news story.

He recommends that his work be represented as smartly and accurately as possible. Requestors should read his book, study his websites, and learn before writing. His team cannot edit or correct submitted writing. If what has been written is not accurate, the answer is "no."

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here.

When a draft is ready for review, it should be submitted indicating where his copyrighted work is intended to appear within the article or news story. Once approved, a licensing agreement specific to the use will be provided.

No modifications may be made to his copyrighted work, and it should be featured alone — not in combination with other images or text. Relevant hyperlinks should be added for readers to learn more.

There may be a minimum fee associated with this license.BJ Fogg is pleased to have his work shared and referenced in a printed article or news story.

He recommends that his work be represented as smartly and accurately as possible. Requestors should read his book, study his websites, and learn before writing. His team cannot edit or correct submitted writing. If what has been written is not accurate, the answer is "no."

Please note there is a review fee of $50 due before his team will look at draft content. More about that and how to request a fee waiver is here.

When a draft is ready for review, it should be submitted indicating where his copyrighted work is intended to appear within the article or news story. Once approved, a licensing agreement specific to the use will be provided.

No modifications may be made to his copyrighted work, and it should be featured alone — not in combination with other images or text. Relevant hyperlinks should be added for readers to learn more.

There may be a minimum fee associated with this license.

People who have studied and applied BJ Fogg's work, or have been trained by him, sometimes want to incorporate elements of his system of Behavior Design or Tiny Habits into their website to help visitors understand human behavior or habits in the context of what they do and offer.

Anyone wishing to use his copyrighted works in this way should get in touch. These uses are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and require a special licensing agreement with a fee.

Dr. Fogg will first need to see that his work has been applied and represented accurately. It is highly recommended that requestors carefully read Tiny Habits, the information at www.behaviormodel.org, or whichever primary sources are relevant to the use. If the use isn't accurate, the answer is "no." His team cannot edit or correct submitted work.

To bring Fogg's intellectual property and system of Behavior Design into an organization in a larger, more meaningful way, please get in touch with a description of what is envisioned. He works with a number of select organizations and can recommend ways to work together to help the team and organization be successful. Contact bj@bjfogg.com to learn more.