Licensing FAQs

What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a word(s), logo or package design, or a combination of them, used by a manufacturer or merchant to identify its goods and distinguish them from others (Borchard, "A Trademark is Not a Copyright or a Patent," 2002).
What is Trademark Licensing?
Trademark licensing is a contractual relationship under which a trademark owner grants another the right to use a mark, subject to terms of the contract. Trademark licensing does not transfer ownership of the mark (CLC, "Licensing Basics," 2003).
Who is responsible for the Trademark Licensing Program at UNC Charlotte?
Jo Prophit
Auxiliary Services Bldg, Rm 144
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28227-0001
704-687-7341
jnprophi@uncc.edu
What is the Collegiate Licensing Company?
The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is the licensing representative for UNC Charlotte. CLC is responsible for administering the licensing program, including processing applications, collecting royalties, enforcing trademarks and pursuing new market opportunities. CLC may be contacted at clc.com or by contacting our representative, Aaron Coldren at AColdren@clc.com or 770-956-0525.
What qualifies as a UNC Charlotte trademark, logo, or symbol?
Any mark, logo, symbol, nickname, letter(s), word(s) or combination of these that can be associated with the University qualifies as a trademark.
Are there additional trademarks, logos, or symbols that exist for special use only?
Many of the University's departments, divisions and student groups have developed trademarks to promote their specific group. These marks, however, are used only by these areas and are not available to the general public. Any unauthorized use of these marks is considered an infringement of our trademark rights and we will take the legal steps necessary to correct violations. Examples of departments with registered trademarks that fall into this category are Alumni Affairs and Gang Green.
What is the difference between (R), "TM", and "SM"?
The symbol "TM" stands for trademark. The symbol "SM" stands for service mark. Both of these are informal symbols that indicate you claim common law trademark rights to a name, or logo. These two symbols are used prior to obtaining full federal registration.
The symbol (R), the phrase "Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office," or the abbreviation "Reg U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off." denote that the mark has been granted full federal registration. This means that the owner of the mark may prosecute anyone who uses the mark without permission.
Who must be licensed?
Any individual or manufacturer wishing to use the marks, logos and symbols of the University must obtain a license. Although departments and student groups affiliated with the University do not need to be licensed themselves, they must use a licensed vendor to produce items bearing the University's marks. It is typically much easier to work with an established University licensee than to try and license a new product or idea. Both the University Trademark Licensing Program Office and CLC can provide you with information on the products produced by all licensees so you can match your needs with the right company. A list of current licensees by product is available on our Licensed Vendor page. (This page is currently under construction.)
What products can be licensed?
The University allows its marks to be applied to a wide variety of products. Apparel items, i.e. shirts, sweats, hats, scarves, jackets, and children's clothing items, are the most popular. But our marks appear on many non-apparel items as well. Examples of non-apparel items are golf accessories, key chains, frames, glassware, blankets, umbrellas, jewelry, and notebooks.
However, the University does not allow its marks to be applied on consumables, health & beauty products, or tobacco and alcohol related products.
A determination as to whether or not an item is acceptable is made at the time the vendor submits a request for a new product approval.
Are there any products that UNC Charlotte will not license?
Yes. UNC Charlotte will not allow its marks to be applied on consumables, health & beauty products, or tobacco and alcohol related products.
What is the process for student or campus organizations to obtain permission to utilize a University's logo for fund-raising T-shirts and related products?
Student or campus organizations need to complete and submit an art approval form to the Licensing Office. Obtain an art approval form by clicking here.
Do departments and University offices need permission to utilize the University's trademarks?
Any mark, logo, symbol, nickname, letter(s), word(s) or combination of these that can be associated with the University qualifies as a trademark.
Are there additional trademarks, logos, or symbols that exist for special use only?
Yes! University schools, departments, and affiliated organizations may use the University's name or marks in their literature, signage, etc, but must have the design approved prior to publication and use by the Publications Office. If the school, department or affiliated organization wishes to use the University's name or marks on items to be given away or used as uniforms, the design must be submitted to the Trademark Licensing Program for approval.
A licensed vendor must be used whether royalties are required or not. Please remember that the University's marks may not be altered in any way. You may not incorporate the University's marks with a commercial vendor's mark.
What process must be followed if a department wants to have the University's name or logo on items such as T-shirts, novelty items, etc?
Departments must go through the Purchasing Department to place an order for these items. The Purchasing Agent will forward information to the Licensing Department and obtain permission. Please be aware that University departments are required to adhere to the same guidelines as commercial vendors.
How do you obtain an art approval form?
Campus departments or groups may obtain an art approval form by clicking here. Fax, mail or deliver the completed form to the Licensing Office. Our fax number is 704-687-6828. We are located in room # 144 of the Auxiliary Services Building. Commercial vendors must work through the Collegiate Licensing Company. No art approvals requests are accepted directly.
How to become a Licensed Vendor
The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is the licensing representative for UNC Charlotte. CLC is responsible for administering the licensing program, including processing applications, collecting royalties, enforcing trademarks and pursuing new market opportunities. CLC may be contacted at www.clc.com or by contacting our representative, Aaron Coldren.
There are three type of licenses:
  1. Restricted-Designed primarily for locally-based vendors to sell to internal campus departments and student groups; products are not for re-sale but are for internal consumption, uniforms, or promotional give-aways.
  2. Local-Designed for in-state vendors that wish to obtain a full retail license to sell merchandise; limit of 5 universities on the agreement within the state or nearby region (150 miles).
  3. Standard-Designed for larger companies with established products and distribution channels; unlimited number of universities.
Not every vendor that applies for a licensed is approved.
Items such as compliance history, accounting history, marketing plan, product/design uniqueness, product quality, and market need/saturation are taken into account when determining whether or not a vendor will be licensed.
Every vendor who is licensed is required to attach the "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" label shown here.
Can a University department, employee, or campus organization permit a company to use a UNC Charlotte trademark?
No! University schools, departments, and affiliated organizations may not assign, sublicense, or modify the name UNC Charlotte or The University of North Carolina Charlotte or UNCC or any marks of the University. All products which University schools, departments, or affiliates wish to have produced bearing the name and marks of the University are regulated by the Trademark Licensing Program.
Can a University department or campus organization use the University's logos in printed information describing the services of their department or organization?
Absolutely! But it is important to use the marks correctly. There are some variations to the "Crown" logo that are allowed when it is being used in printed material (but not when used on items such as shirts, hats, etc). Please contact Angie Rice-Figueroa in Publications and Printing Services at 704-687-2393 for specifics.
What do you do if you need to obtain business cards, letterhead, etc?
The University has a contractual agreement with Progressive Printers to produce these items.
A representative from Progressive Printers is on campus each day, Monday through Friday, from 2 pm to 3 pm. Their office is room # 162 of the Auxiliary Services Building. Their phone number is 704-687-3344.
How do you know that the product you're buying is officially licensed by the University?
Look for the label. Every vendor who is licensed is required to attach the "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" label shown here. Be sure that the item you purchase is as authentic as your support for UNC Charlotte. And because each licensed vendor returns a portion of the money paid for the item to the University, purchasing only items that are licensed supports UNC Charlotte. Please support the vendors that support our University. Look for the label!
How do I report possible trademark infringement?
The UNC Charlotte Trademark Licensing Program is committed to protecting UNC Charlotte's trademarks and the reputation they represent. We work with Collegiate Licensing Company and law enforcement agencies to enforce our trademark rights. No use of UNC Charlotte trademarks is permitted without written consent of the UNC Charlotte Trademark Licensing Program or Publications Office. Any information regarding possible trademark infringement should be reported to Aaron Coldren, AColdren@clc.com at The Collegiate Licensing Company (770) 956-0520 or UNC Charlotte Trademark Licensing Program Administrator, Jo Prophit, at jnprophi@uncc.edu or 704-687-7341.