ASCOT® Licensing & Use Policy

1. Purpose

ASCOT® is a proprietary benchmark framework designed to measure Australian securitised credit through a capital-stack lens. This policy governs the permitted and prohibited use of the ASCOT name, variants, methodology, and related intellectual property.

ASCOT is not an investment product and does not provide financial product advice.

2. Intellectual Property

All rights, title, and interest in:

• the ASCOT® name and mark
• the ASCOT Index family (including ASCOT Core, ASCOT Balance, ASCOT Plus)
• the ASCOT methodology, definitions, classifications, and documentation

are owned exclusively by the Index Provider and are protected by copyright, trademark, and common-law rights. No rights are granted except as expressly stated in this policy or under a written licence agreement.

3. Permitted Use (Without Licence)

The following uses are permitted without a licence, provided attribution is clear and no endorsement is implied:

• Academic or journalistic reference to ASCOT as a benchmark concept
• Citation of ASCOT in research, commentary, or analysis
• Non-commercial discussion of ASCOT methodology or variants
• Use of the phrase “referencing the ASCOT framework” in descriptive text

All such use must include the attribution:

4. Prohibited Use (Licence Required)

The following uses require a written licence from the Index Provider:

• Use of ASCOT (or any variant) in the name, marketing, or branding of a financial product
• Claiming a product tracks, replicates, aligns to, or is benchmarked against ASCOT
• Publication of ASCOT-derived performance, index levels, or return series
• Creation of derivative indices, composites, or variations based on ASCOT
• Use of ASCOT in regulatory filings, offer documents, or investor materials
• Use that implies endorsement, sponsorship, or approval by ASCOT Index

Unauthorised commercial use constitutes infringement.

5. Product Reference Language (Illustrative)

Subject to licence, acceptable language includes:

• “This product references the ASCOT Core benchmark framework.”
• “ASCOT Balance is used as a structural reference point.”

Unacceptable language includes:

• “ASCOT-approved”
• “ASCOT Fund”
• “Official ASCOT ETF”
• Any implication that ASCOT determines portfolio construction or investment decisions

6. No Warranties or Liability

ASCOT is provided “as is.” The Index Provider makes no representation as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose and accepts no liability for reliance on ASCOT or its outputs.

7. Enforcement

The Index Provider actively monitors usage of the ASCOT name and methodology. Unauthorised use may result in:

• Cease-and-desist notices
• Public disavowal of association
• Legal enforcement where appropriate

8. Request Access / Licensing Enquiries

Licensing discussions are selective and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Institutions seeking access to the full methodology for benchmarking, product reference, or evaluation purposes may request access below.