search

nhsuk / nhsuk-service-manual-community-backlog

This is a place for digital teams in the NHS to work together and develop the NHS digital service manual.
https://service-manual.nhs.uk/community-and-contribution
62 stars 5 forks source link

QR code or 2D barcode #402

Open sarawilcox opened 2 years ago

sarawilcox commented 2 years ago

There's a broad feeling among NHS.UK content designers who've worked on relevant content that we should be using "QR codes" as the term is widely used.

"2D barcodes" hasn't tested great.

We've had a steer away from "QR codes" for copyright reasons.

So far as I can see, QR codes are a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc who have an FAQ: https://www.qrcode.com/en/faq.html. In the FAQ page, the owners require a note (anywhere in the website) that "QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED". Otherwise there doesn't seem to be a problem with using the term.

I think we'd want to move to "QR codes" for usability reasons. Colleagues are following up the copyright issue.

sarawilcox commented 2 years ago

Apparently one of the issues with QR codes is that there are other 2D barcode encodings (e.g. Aztec Codes and Datamatrix Codes) which are ISO Standard 2D Barcodes but not QR codes (which is just one type in general usage).

One option might be to say "QR codes (or some other kind of 2D barcode)".

I'm trying to track down more UR.

Here's something in the COVID lateral flow test leaflet: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1024894/COVID-19-self-test-throat-and-nose-instructions.pdf Screenshot 2021-12-13 at 11 39 23

I've asked on GOV.UK Slack for any insight.

sarawilcox commented 2 years ago

QR code already widely used. Screenshot of report a COVID-19 test result screen showing text “QR code” being used image (28)

Covid QR code on a poster for a shop window. image (29) ]

sarawilcox commented 2 years ago

From a conversation on GOV.UK Slack: