Campus Policies
The Trademark Licensing Office works to insure proper control and use of all marks associated with the University. The University's trademark licensing policy shall pertain to: all items bearing University marks used for resale purposes; used for internal consumptive purposes; used for give-away purposes, used for fundraising, or used for other promotional and/or marketing/public relations oriented purposes.
Unless approved otherwise by the Trademark Licensing Office, all items manufactured containing or bearing a University mark shall be sourced from an authorized licensee. This requirement ensures consistency in the use of the University's marks and to ensure compliance with a wide range of requirements associated with the manufacture and use of the University's marks. There are approximately 250 companies officially licensed by the University to manufacture products.
It is the responsibility of all employees, departments and/or student groups making purchases to comply with this policy and to verify that the manufacturer of the product is currently licensed with the University. No employee, department or student group may represent it has the authority to authorize a third party to produce merchandise bearing University marks.
University Marks
University marks not only include those trademarks shown on the licensee artwork sheet (
see our protected marks) but any design or verbiage that is representative of the University or any part of the University (e.g. College of..., XYZ Building/Facility). The licensee artwork sheet shown on this website is provided to licensees as a reference tool, as it depicts the most widely used marks/names of the University on commercial products.
Royalties/Rebates
Products are eligible for a royalty rebate if purchased by a University department for internal use only and are not resold or given away. Required uniforms are considered internal consumption and eligible for a rebate if purchased from a licensee. However, "unofficial uniforms" (i.e. casual Friday apparel) are not eligible for a royalty rebate, even when worn by an entire department or group.
Click here to complete a royalty rebate request form.
University licensees are required to collect a royalty on all items regardless of intended use. If you have purchased an item from a licensee that you believe is exempt from royalties, please complete and submit a rebate form. Here is a current, non-exhaustive list of licensed and approved vendors in various categories:
CAMPUS LICENSED VENDOR LIST. For additional licensed vendor options, please contact the trademark licensing office by phone or email.
Exemptions
- Office letterhead, office envelopes, employee business cards (these are still subject to the UW Brand Book): http://www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/marketing/uw-brand-center
- University identification cards
- University publications, newsletters, posters, flyers, brochures, pamphlets, circulars, leaflets, notices, institutional video tapes, and point of purchase displays
- Employee uniforms, uniform patches, name tags/badges
- University vehicles and vehicle decals
- Eating utensils utilized within University Food Services which are not offered for sale, given away, or distributed to the public as a souvenir item or intended for promotional incentive purposes
- University authorized signage
Use of University Marks by Departments
UW Departments are afforded the ability to utilize University logos in their materials, websites, and other materials but are required to comply with the current
UW Brand Book (
http://www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/marketing/uw-brand-center.html).
University Seal - The University seal is reserved for formal printed materials such as diplomas, medallions, awards, designated honorary certificates and official documents.
For more information on use of the University seal, visit the UW Brand Book or
email us.
Considering a Trademark for your Department or Program
The Trademark Licensing Office has already formally registered on behalf of the University a number of trademarks that are frequently used on commercial items (i.e. UW, Wyoming Cowboys, Pokes, etc.). The University continues to register new marks as the marketplace for UW products continues to grow and the need for formal ownership is deemed necessary. If your department believes formal trademark ownership is needed for a particular term/logo/design, you are encouraged to review the following questions prior to calling the Trademark Licensing Office.
- Is your department willing to invest the money (departments pay this cost but the process is coordinated by the Trademark Licensing Office) to register a trademark? Filing an application for a state trademark costs approximately $100 whereas a federal registration initially costs approximately $1,500. The cost for a federal registration is significantly higher due to the use of outside counsel.
- What are your goals in registering this particular name/logo?
- Is your department willing to enforce a trademark (including costs, if any) in the event you do find someone infringing on the name/logo?
- How exactly is your department going to use this name/logo? Will its use be widespread on materials, websites, product packaging, etc? Will this name/logo be used primarily locally or nationally?
- Is the name/logo used independently, or always in association with the University name?
- Has the name/logo been approved and adopted by the department/University, and how long has it been in use? Does it comply with current UW Branding Standards?
- Do you know if any other entity or third party is using this name/logo or even something similar?
- Do you know who originally came up with the name or designed the graphic? Has an assignment of copyright or work for hire been executed?
Additional information is available on trademarks at the
United State's Patent and Trademark Office.
If your department would still like to discuss the possibility of formally registering a trademark, please call the Trademark Licensing Office at 766-5646. Other options may exist besides actual registration of a name/logo that can be discussed. As always, there are no guarantees when a mark is applied for, as trademark searches can easily bring to attention possible issues with other existing mark owners.
