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What is a Trademark Licensing Program?
A trademark licensing program governs the use of the university’s logo and wordmark. 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 an online interface where artwork for products is reviewed.
Trademark Licensing
Do you want to use Western‘s logo for apparel or novelty items? Western has an official licensing program, and such items may only be produced by Western-licensed vendors.
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 follows 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 variants, nicknames, logotypes, logos, insignia, shields, seals, designs, devices, 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. However, they are subject to review with the University Brand Committee.
Who Needs to Carry a License With Western?
Manufacturers, producers, and any other entity that plans 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 an order. Once the product and artwork have been selected, the supplier will send the artwork and necessary information to the University’s Trademark Licensing Program. The Trademark Licensing Program will review the 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.
For more information on the Western licensing program or to submit artwork for approval, please contact the Director of Marketing and Communications or the 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