Licensing and royalties
Any person, business or organization desiring to use U of I trademarks in any manner and for any purpose must be licensed to do so. U of I has contracted with the CLC to issue licenses on its behalf. An Internal Campus License is available for U of I departments.
Officially licensed vendors
Only an officially licensed vendor may produce merchandise bearing university trademarks. For a list of officially licensed vendors, contact U of I Trademark and Licensing.
Summary of licensing agreements
Generally, there are several types of licensing agreements:
- Retail license agreements for the production of emblematic merchandise to be sold by an individual or company at retail.
- Internal campus license agreements for the production of emblematic merchandise for use by a campus organization or department.
- Crafter licensing agreements for use of the marks on domestic handcrafted items sold to individual consumers via events or direct sales.
- Promotional use agreements covering the use of marks for an approved limited-duration commercial use.
Retail License
Description
For companies that produce licensed consumer products that will be resold, such as items for sale at retail in local, regional and national retail outlets.
Parameters
- Annually renewable
- Both licensee and all designs must be pre-approved
- Minimum of $1 million in product liability insurance
- Must sign and abide by CLC Code of Conduct
Royalty rate: 14%
Crafter License
Description
For use of marks on domestic handcrafted items sold to individual consumers via events or direct sales.
Parameters
- Annually renewable
- Both licensee and all designs must be pre-approved
- Annual limit of 500 units or $2,500 in sales whichever is lower
See royalty structure under the Crafter's License header.
Promotional License
Description
For use of marks for an approved limited-duration commercial use.
Parameters
See U of I Promotional Use Policy
Royalty rate: 14%
Responsible production
U of I is committed to conducting its business affairs in a socially responsible and ethical manner. All manufacturers of products bearing U of I trademarks must adhere to a Code of Conduct in the manufacture of those products. In addition, U of I requires all of its licensees to publicly disclose the names and locations of all factories that manufacture products that bear U of I trademarks.
Royalties
Products, including those products sold to a university-owned entity, are generally subject to royalty fees if a U of I trademark is utilized. This includes sales to individual customers, sales for fund-raising projects, sales of items carrying a commercial message or sponsor, items used as promotional marketing tools for an event, and items given at conferences/workshops/clinics. The current standard royalty rate is 14 percent. The inclusion of a corporate name or “sponsor” will require payment of promotional royalties (currently 14 percent).
Royalty exemptions
- U of I concurs in the basic concept that no user of its marks should be exempt from its licensing program and will make good faith efforts to follow this premise.
- U of I reserves the right to grant exemptions to any user, if circumstances warrant that it would be in the best interests of U of I to do so. The director of Trademark and Licensing will make any exemption decision.
- Original artwork sold for individual display shall not require licensing (i.e. painting to be framed or individually-produced sculptures); however notecards, posters or art prints bearing U of I marks or images are not exempt.
- Printed programs for athletic and special events on campus are not subject to licensing regardless of whether they are given away or sold.