Brand Standards: Trademark Licensing
Use of Trademarks
University Policy 510 states all items bearing the university trademarks must be produced by a licensed vendor, and all items must be pre-approved by University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing to ensure brand and trademark licensing compliance. This includes items manufactured for internal use by students, staff, and/or affiliates.
Utah State University’s trademarks include — but are not limited to — names, taglines, seals, logos, school colors, and other indicia that are representative of the university. Trademarks may only be used with permission from University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing.
All licensed vendors are required to identify their product with an “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” hologram label. This label signifies the goods are quality, authentic, and have been manufactured in accordance with university standards. At Utah State University, net revenues generated through the sale of licensed merchandise support the general scholarship fund and athletic programs. Products that do not bear the hologram label, but use the university trademarks, may represent infringement of the university trademarks, violating trademark laws.
University College and Administrative-Unit Use
No university department, division, group, unit, or entity, outside of Utah State’s General Counsel office, Trademark Licensing office, and Aggie Sports Properties, can give any third-party rights to use Utah State’s logos or trademarks. If you feel a third-party needs access to our logos or trademarks for sponsorship reasons, please contact the University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing Director, Heidi Adams at heidi.adams@usu.edu or 435-797-0587.
All campus entities, including but not limited to colleges, administrative units, schools, departments, offices, programs, labs, institutes, divisions, locations, and centers must use a licensed vendor to produce any branded goods bearing any of the Utah State trademarks or logos (marks). This applies whether the items are intended for the department/organization’s own use (e.g., team shirts), promotional pieces, or items to be sold for fundraising.
Off-Campus and Third-Party Use
Utah State University expressly prohibits endorsing third-party products or services on behalf of the university. For purposes of stating contractual relationships, the third-party can factually state its relationship with the university; however, logos cannot be used for these purposes.
Use of the university marks in conjunction with third-party marks must be reviewed by University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing director to ensure that there is no implication of product endorsement.
If a third-party logo is used, the appropriate space on publications is the back or inside cover. If using a third-party logo in a sponsorship capacity, do not use the third-party logo in a way that suggests or implies partnership, or endorsement by Utah State University. In these instances, the university requires use of “sponsored by”, “in conjunction with”, or “in partnership with”. verbiage next to the sponsor(s) logo(s).
When using a third-party logo do not present their logo in a way that makes them the most prominent or distinctive feature on the product(s) you are creating.
If a third-party requests the use of a Utah State University logo for their website or publications, instead request the university be listed as a partner. An example is: “Utah State University, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Any third party that wishes to use the university’s logos, trademarks, images, or other indicia will require a license. The type of license and rights granted will depend on the third party’s relationship with the university (ex: Aggie Sports Property sponsor, licensee, vendor, etc.) and the proposed use of the visual brand. Guidelines on how to obtain a license can be found within the Brand Standards section.
Aggie Sports Properties (ASP), a division of USU's trademark licensing agency CLC, manages the multimedia rights for Utah State University Athletics Department. ASP specializes in managing, packaging, and selling marketing and sponsorship opportunities related to Utah State athletic events. ASP offers corporate partners a multitude of marketing and media sponsorship opportunities, including but not limited to signage, scoreboard promotions, on-field/on-court promotions, radio, print, internet, game sponsorships, special event title sponsorships, and hospitality events.
All third-party logo use, internal and external must be preapproved by University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing Director Heidi Adams at heidi.adams@usu.edu or 435-797-0587.
Faculty, Staff & University Organizations
Utah State University expressly prohibits endorsing third-party products or services on behalf of the university. For purposes of stating contractual relationships, the third-party can factually state that their relationship with the university, however, logos cannot be used for these purposes.
Use of logos and trademark that states, or implies, university endorsement of or affiliation with third-party entities, products, services, viewpoints, and/or political candidates, parties, and activities is not permitted.
Utah State University expressly prohibits endorsing third-party products or services on behalf of the university. For purposes of stating contractual relationships, the third-party can factually state that their relationship with the university, however, logos cannot be used for these purposes.
Official university departments, divisions, faculty & staff are permitted to use logos, or trademarks (marks) on various marketing materials including branded goods provided such use reflects positively on the university and the mark(s) are used accurately.
Clubs and Student Organizations
Utah State University’s name, image, logos, or other trademarks in conjunction with a student organization name implies association with the university. Therefore, only those student clubs and organizations that are officially sponsored by the institution are permitted to university trademarks in association with their club or student organization.
Utah State University expressly prohibits endorsing third-party products or services on behalf of the university. For purposes of stating contractual relationships, the third-party can factually state its relationship with the university; however, logos cannot be used for these purposes.
No university department, division, group, unit, or entity, outside of Utah State’s General Counsel office, Trademark Licensing office, and Aggie Sports Properties, can give any third-party rights to use Utah State’s logos or trademarks. If you feel a third-party needs access to our logos or trademarks for sponsorship reasons, please contact the University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing Director Heidi Adams at heidi.adams@usu.edu or 435-797-0587.
Utah State University name, image, logos, or other trademarks are registered trademarks for the university, which may not be used without permission. No modification of the university marks is allowed.
Officially sponsored clubs and student organizations may use the university name, logos, or trademarks (marks) for internal purposes such as on posters, signs, and banners dealing with the on-campus activities of the club or organization, provided such use reflects positively on the university and the mark(s) are used accurately. Club and organizations should include the word “club” or similar identifier in the name of the organization. Identifiers include — but are not limited to — “Club,” “Society,” “Association,” “Sorority,” “Fraternity,” “Council,” “Institute,” “Group,” “Committee,” “Students,” “Students For…,” “Campus Ministry,” “Fellowships,” “Community,” Greek Letters, and/or “Chapter.”
Logos and trademark use that states or implies university endorsement of or affiliation with third-party entities, products, services, viewpoints, and/or political candidates, parties and activities is not permitted.