How to License University Sports Logos

You must have a logo design to complete the application process.

Universities and colleges generally use licensing agreements to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property such as logos. A licensing agreement consists of a legal contract that outlines the responsibilities and rights regarding the use of trademarked intellectual property between you and the university. For example, the contract may stipulate how much and when you pay the university for the use of the logo. Regardless of the contract, you don’t have to hire a team of lawyers, agents and marketers to obtain a licensing agreement. You can complete the task yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Application
• Logo design

Instructions

1. Determine how you want to use the university’s logo. For instance, you may want to place it on merchandise such as clothing and cups for sale or internal consumption. Internal consumption is merchandise only used for no-resale and given away.

2. Design artwork incorporating the university’s logo. The logo design may resemble the university’s logo or be different. The design must accompany the licensing agreement. It’s what will be used on your merchandise if you receive the licensing agreement.

3. Contact the university to inquire how to become a logo licensee. The university typically has two ways to obtain a licensing agreement: through the university or a collegiate licensing company. If the university has negotiated an agreement with an outside firm, you have to complete the contract with the business and not the university.

4. Request an application from the university or collegiate licensing company. The university or company may instruct you to download an application from its website.

5. Read the application and sign it. The university may require you to complete two copies. For example, Georgia College, as of 2011, requires any potentially licensee to submit two copies of its signed license agreement.

6. Submit the signed application and logo design to the university. Typically, you must return the application via ordinary mail.

Tips & Warnings

• Whether you pay a fee at the time you submit your application depends on the university or collegiate licensing business. For instance, a university may require you to include the application, logo design and fee. A collegiate company may request the application and logo design and, if approved, an application fee.

• If you’re interested in using a logo from more than one university, you must complete the process with each university.

• Using a licensing business to obtain a university logo may allow you to submit an application for more than one university but there may be limitations on the number of universities for which you can get a license.

• Also, whether you receive a logo license isn’t up to the licensing company, but the university.

References

• Reference for Business: Licensing Agreement;
• Collegiate Licensing Company: Types of License;
• Collegiate Licensing Company: Application Process;
• Georgia College: Licensing;