Licensing
Colorado State University is the sole owner of its name and the symbols, graphics and marks that identify or are associated with the University.
The trademark licensing program gives the University control over its logos and marks, thus ensuring the quality and consistency of all University merchandise. Trademark licensing also enables the University to generate revenue from the sale of merchandise bearing its logos and marks to fund a variety of programs such as athletic scholarships that benefit the campus and students alike. Outside of the University, the trademark licensing program creates a cooperative and positive working relationship with the manufacturers and retailers who work with the University.
The University Licensing Program
All items featuring the University’s name and/or logos, or trademarks, whether manufactured for internal distribution or commercial sales, must be produced by a currently licensed vendor. Unlicensed vendors reproducing the CSU name and/or logo do so in violation of federal and state trademark law.
Getting Licensed
Colorado State University partners with Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing and marketing company, to protect, manage and develop CSU licensing program.
The mission of CLC is to be the guiding force in collegiate trademark licensing and one of the top sports licensing firms in the country. As such, CLC is dedicated to being a center of excellence in providing licensing services of the highest quality to its member institutions, licensees, retailers, and consumers.
Royalty Policy
To produce items bearing the University name, trademarks, or logos, vendors must be officially licensed. Unlicensed vendors that produce Colorado State items are in violation of state and federal trademark law. Items intended for internal use by CSU employees are exempt from royalties but still may only be produced by licensed manufacturers. Items intended to be sold externally (e.g. T-shirts for fund raising) are subject to royalties. Royalties are collected by the licensed manufacturer at the time of sale and are paid to the University through the Collegiate Licensing Company and are funneled into Athletics for scholarships and to the licensing program to cover administrative costs.
Manufacturer's Code of Conduct
All University licensed manufactures have agreed to abide by the Manufacturer's Code of Conduct which follows below.
The following conditions are considered to be minimum requirements for licensees that desire to use Colorado State University's name and trademarks on manufactured goods. Where local laws set higher standards, the higher standard shall be considered the minimum.
- Health and Safety - All people have the right to work in a safe and healthy working environment.
- Respect and Dignity - All people have a basic right to respect and dignity. No person shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment or abuse.
- Discrimination - No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin.
- Child Labor - Children may not be exploited. No person shall be employed at an age younger than 15 or younger than the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture - whichever is higher.
- Forced Labor - No University products may be manufactured using forced labor of any kind.
- Unions - All employees have the right to independent association and collective bargaining.
- Fair Wages and Benefits - Employers shall provide a fair living wage that meets employees' basic needs, and shall provide legally mandated benefits.
- Hours of Work - Employees shall not be required to work more than 48 hours per week. Employees also are entitled to at least one day off in every seven-day period. Overtime shall not be considered mandatory and shall be compensated at a premium rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a trademark?
Any mark, logo, symbol, nickname, letter(s), word(s) or combination of these that can be associated with the University qualifies as a trademark and is the sole property of Colorado State University.
What products should be licensed?
By law, all products bearing a University trademark may only be produced by licensed manufacturers. This rule applies not only to merchandise sold commercially through wholesalers and retailers, but ALL distributors including university employees, students, alumni, fans, etc.
What is a royalty?
A royalty is a fee paid by a licensee for the commercial use of a trademark. Items intended to be sold externally (eg. T-shirts for retail sale) are subject to royalties. Items intended for internal use by CSU employees (eg. uniforms) are exempt from royalties except if the internal use is the intended resale of the item for fund-raising.
Who needs a license?
Anyone wishing to use the marks, logos and symbols of the University must obtain a license. No products will be licensed without the approval of the University through its representative, the Collegiate Licensing Company. This ensures all products associated with the University are of high quality and good taste and, denies approval of potentially hazardous items.
What if you do not get a license?
All products must be approved by the University’s Trademark Licensing Office. Failure to obtain a license or approval from the University’s Trademark Licensing Office is a violation of federal trademark laws and will be grounds for seizure of all non-approved merchandise bearing the University’s marks. It can also result in jail time and numerous fines if convicted.
How can you obtain a license?
Anyone who wishes to obtain a license to produce merchandise must submit a license application. This application informs the University of how its marks will be used, what type of product the applicant makes, how the University is going to be represented, etc. Applications can be obtained by visiting the downloads section of the Collegiate Licensing Company Web site at www.clc.com. Answers to many questions you may have can also be found at this site.
What is the Collegiate Licensing Company?
The Collegiate Licensing Company is the licensing representative for the University. As the University’s representative, CLC is responsible for administering the licensing program, including processing applications, collecting royalties, enforcing trademarks and pursuing new market opportunities for the University.
How is licensed merchandise identified?
The "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" hologram label identifies merchandise that has passed the standards of quality set forth by the University and certifies that a portion of the purchase is returned to the University.
Can you sell a product to the bookstore?
The Colorado State University Bookstore works with a group of vendors to bring new products to market each year. For more information on the bookstore’s wholesale buying practices, contact the University bookstore.
Can an alumni or student groups sell products using the University’s marks as a fundraiser?
Before contacting manufacturers regarding new products, designs, or an idea for a fundraiser, be sure to check with the University Graphic Standards Office. The staff are able to identify local manufacturers to produce the items, saving everyone time and effort.
Can I use the University’s name or logo on a Web site?
Every use of the University’s trademarks requires permission from the University Graphic Standards Office. The World Wide Web has made it easy for alumni, fans and supporters to build Web pages with the University’s name and logos, and the University appreciates this support. However, federal trademark laws require that the University control its name and marks; therefore, the University must be very selective in granting permission in all instances. For more information, contact the University’s Graphic Standards Office.
