Licensing FAQs
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a word(s), logo
or package design, or a combination of them, used by a manufacturer
or merchant to identify its goods and distinguish them from others.
(Borchard, "A Trademark is Not a Copyright or a Patent," 2002)
What is Trademark Licensing?
Trademark licensing
is a contractual relationship under which a trademark owner grants
another the right to use a mark, subject to terms of the contract. Trademark
licensing does not transfer ownership of the mark. (CLC, "Licensing
Basics," 2003)
Who is responsible for the Trademark Licensing
Program at UNCG?
What is the Collegiate Licensing Company?
The
Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is the licensing representative
for UNCG. CLC is responsible for administering the licensing program,
including processing applications, collecting royalties, enforcing
trademarks and pursuing new market opportunities. More information
can be found on the CLC web site at www.clc.com.
What qualifies as a UNCG trademark, logo,
or symbol?
Any mark, logo, symbol, nickname, letter(s), word(s)
or combination of these that can be associated with the University
qualifies as a trademark. For a complete list of University
logos and usage guidelines visit our University Identity page.
What is the difference between ®, "TM",
and "SM"?
The symbol "TM" stands for trademark. The
symbol "SM" stands for service mark. Both of these
are informal symbols that indicate you claim common law trademark
rights to a name or logo. These two symbols are used prior
to obtaining full federal registration.
The symbol ®, the phrase "Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office," or the abbreviation "Reg U.S. Pat. & Tm.
Off." denote that the mark has been granted full federal registration. This
means that the owner of the mark may prosecute anyone who uses the
mark without permission.
Who must be licensed?
Any individual or manufacturer
wishing to use the marks, logos and symbols of the University
must obtain a license. Although departments and student groups
affiliated with the University do not need to be licensed themselves,
they should use a licensed vendor to produce items bearing the
University's marks. It is typically much easier to work with
an established University licensee than to try and license a new
product or idea. Both
the UNCG Trademark Licensing Department and CLC can provide
you with information on the products produced by all licensees
so you can match your needs with the right company. A list
of current licensees by product is available on our UNCG
Licensed Vendor page.
What products can be licensed?
The University
allows its marks to be applied to a wide variety of apparel
and non-apparel items. Examples of these items are shirts, sweats,
hats, scarves, jackets, children's clothing items, golf accessories,
key chains, frames, glassware, blankets, umbrellas, jewelry, and
notebooks. UNCG does allow its marks to be applied on
consumables and health & beauty products. The University does
not, however, allow its marks to be used on tobacco and alcohol
related products.
A determination as to whether or not an item is acceptable is made
at the time the vendor submits a request for a new product approval.
Are there any products that UNCG will not license?
Yes.
UNCG will not allow its marks to be applied on tobacco and
alcohol related products.
Are student or campus organizations required to use
an officially licensed manufacturer for products they plan to produce?
Although
departments and student groups affiliated with the University
do not need to be licensed, they should use a licensed vendor to
produce items bearing the University's marks.
What is the process for student or campus organizations
to obtain permission to utilize a University's logo for fund-raising
T-shirts and related products?
Student or campus organizations
need to complete and submit an art approval form to the Licensing
Office. To obtain an art approval form contact the UNCG
Trademark Licensing Department at 334-3005.
Do departments and University offices need permission
to utilize the University's trademarks?
University schools,
departments, and affiliated organizations may use the University's
name or marks in their literature, signage, etc. If the
school, department or affiliated organization wishes to use the
University's name or marks on items to be given away or used as
uniforms, the design must be submitted to the UNCG Trademark Licensing
Department for approval. A licensed vendor
should be used whether royalties are required or not.
Please remember that the University's marks may not be altered
in any way. You may not incorporate the University's marks
with a commercial vendor's mark. For more information, see our University
Identity Page .
How do you obtain an art approval form?
Campus
departments or groups may obtain an art approval form by contacting
the UNCG Trademark Licensing Department at 334-3005 . Fax,
mail or deliver the completed form to the UNCG Trademark Licensing
Department. Our
fax number is 334-5567. We are located
in the Walker Avenue Parking Deck, Room 307.
Commercial vendors must work through the Collegiate Licensing Company. No
art approvals requests are accepted directly.
How do you become
a licensed vendor?
For more information on becoming a licensed vendor visit www.clc.com.
What vendors are already licensed to produce merchandise with
UNCG trademarks?
A list of current licensees by product is available
on our UNCG Licensed Vendor page.
Can a University department, employee, or campus
organization permit a company to use a UNCG trademark?
University
schools, departments, and affiliated organizations may not assign,
sublicense, or modify the name UNC Greensboro or The University
of North Carolina at Greensboro or UNCG or any marks of the University.
All products which University schools, departments, or affiliates
wish to have produced bearing the name and marks of the University
are regulated by the Trademark Licensing Program.
Can a University department or campus organization use
the University's logos in printed information describing the services
of their department or organization?
Yes, but
it is important to use the marks correctly. Please visit the University
Identity page for more information.
What do you do if you need to obtain business cards,
letterhead, etc?
Contact University Graphics & Printing (UGP)
to place orders for business cards and stationery items. UGP offers
quick turnaround and excellent pricing on a variety of print and
copy services. For more information call 334-3629.
How do you know that the product you're buying
is officially licensed by the University?
Every
vendor who is licensed is required to attach the "Officially
Licensed Collegiate Products" label shown below. Be
sure that the item you purchase is as authentic as your support
for UNCG. And because each licensed vendor returns
a portion of the money paid for the item to the University, purchasing
only items that are licensed supports UNCG. Please
support the vendors that support our University.
How do I report possible trademark infringement?
The
UNCG Trademark Licensing Program is committed to protecting
UNCGs trademarks and the reputation they represent.
We work with Collegiate Licensing Company and law enforcement agencies
to enforce our trademark rights. No use of UNCG
trademarks is permitted without written consent of the UNCG
Trademark Licensing Department or University Relations. Any information
regarding possible trademark infringement should be reported to
our Collegiate Licensing Company Representative, Ander
Nickell,
or UNCG Trademark Licensing Program Administrator, Joseph
Dix,
at
336-334-3005.
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