The Western Colorado University Licensing Program

What is a Trademark Licensing Program?

A trademark licensing program governs the use of the university’s logo and word mark. It ensures that the logo is used in the proper manner. Vendors that make items like t-shirts, mugs and other branded products must become licensed through the university’s licensing firm. The firm (in this case, Licensing Resource Group) signs agreements with vendors and manages anon-line interface where artwork for products is reviewed.

Why Did Western Establish a Trademark Licensing Program?

Western Colorado University created a licensing program to protect and promote our identity in a responsible, fair, and positive manner. It also created this program to ensure that the logo is used properly and that any vendor manufacturing something with a Western logo follow the university’s brand standards. All official logos and wordmarks of Western Colorado University are officially protected and are an important part of this program. Creating and maintaining positive relationships with manufacturers and retailers is an integral part of the program’s overall success, and helps to ensure that products bearing the marks of the University are of the highest quality and help to satisfy consumer demand.

What is Trademarked?

All names and visual representations of Western State Colorado University or Western Colorado University are considered its “trademarks.” This includes all wordmarks, service marks, names, name variant, nicknames, logotypes, logos, insignia, shields, seals, designs, devises, or symbols that refer to Western State Colorado University or Western Colorado University. Also included are any words, phrases, or images that imply association with the University.

The University Word Marks

Western Colorado University™
Western State Colorado University™
W symbol
W Mountaineers symbol
Mad Jack (Mountaineer) athletic symbol

What Items Need Approval?

Western’s policy is that most items that bear the university’s name or identity are subject to the Trademark Licensing Program. All items that are produced and resold are subject to a 10 percent royalty rate; however the 10 percent royalty rate will be waived on all internal orders that are not to be resold. This includes items like camp shirts, polo shirts, club t-shirts, club giveaways, swag, etc.

What Items Do Not Need Approval?

Items such as team and practice uniforms, team travel gear, campus signage, business cards and letterhead are not subject to the licensing program.

Who Needs to Carry a License With Western?

Manufacturers, producers and any other entity that plan to use the trademarks of the University must complete the licensing process and secure a license agreement prior to producing and selling emblematic merchandise.

The Purchasing Procedure

Contact a licensed supplier to initiate order. Once product and artwork have been selected, the supplier will send artwork and necessary information to the University’s Trademark Licensing Program. The Trademark Licensing Program will review artwork and will send the approval to the licensed supplier. The department, office or student organization will proceed with a purchase order.

The vendor you have used in the past may not be on this list, but we can help you find an officially licensed vendor that will produce the item you want to purchase. 

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Ashley Horvat at ahorvat@western.edu

For more information on the Western licensing program or to submit artwork for approval, please contact the Director of Marketing Communications or Brand Manager.

How Can a License Be Obtained?

To obtain an application packet or to learn more about licensing and royalty information, please contact Western Colorado University’s trademark management company:

CLC/Learfield
1075 Peachtree Street, Suite 3300
Atlanta, GA 30309

Telephone:(770) 956-0520