Toolkit: Branded Goods

organizaitons

Selling Branded Goods

The sale of branded goods by faculty, staff, students, and all university organizations is strictly governed by University Policy 5100 and all university procurement rules. To protect the university's marks and ensure financial compliance, specific protocols must be followed when merchandise is sold to the public or campus community. 

Advance Approval Required

Any university entity (college, department, club, or individual staff member) intending to sell merchandise featuring Utah State University’s name, trademarks, or logos must receive advance approval from Licensing and Brand Activation.

This requirement applies to all branded items, including:

  • Items sold for profit or cost-recovery.
  • Items produced for fundraising purposes.
  • Items sold through third-party platforms.

Royalty Requirements

The use of university trademarks for commercial gain requires the payment of royalties, which support university-wide initiatives and brand protection.

Retail Sales & Fundraising

When merchandise is intended for sale, you must use a vendor with a Retail License.

  • Royalty Rate: A 14% royalty is applied to the wholesale price of the branded goods.
  • Payment Process: The licensed vendor is responsible for reporting and paying these royalties directly to the university. This cost is typically factored into your quote by the vendor.

Giveaways & Internal Use (waivers)

If merchandise is not being sold (e.g., promotional giveaways for students or staff uniforms), it may be eligible for a royalty waiver.

  • Action: Please contact the Director of Licensing and Brand Activation to request a waiver for internal-use items.

Online Stores

Departments or organizations wishing to utilize an online storefront for order placement and sales must follow specific university security and branding protocols.

  • Authorized Vendors: To ensure PCI compliance and brand integrity, you must contact licensing@usu.edu before setting up an online store. We will assign you an authorized vendor who is equipped to manage university-approved storefronts.
  • Prohibited Platforms: Unauthorized or personal storefronts (e.g., Etsy, personal Shopify accounts) are not permitted for the sale of university-branded goods.

Getting Started

Before you commit to a sales project or fundraiser:

  1. Consult Licensing and Brand Activation by emailing licensing.brandactivation@usu.edu to discuss your sales plan.
  2. Select a Retail Licensee: Ensure your chosen vendor from the [Licensed Vendor Database] holds a "Retail" level license.
  3. Submit Artwork: Follow the standard [Branded Goods Artwork Review Form] process, indicating that the items are for sale or fundraising.

Questions regarding royalties or sales? Reach out to the Licensing and Brand Activation team for a consultation.