University of Idaho Trademarks and Licensing

Promoting and protecting university marks

The Trademark and Licensing Office at University of Idaho promotes and protects the university’s name, logos, colors and brand marks. It ensures trademarks are used appropriately on and off campus and manages licensing for U of I-branded products. Revenue from licensing supports scholarships and athletic programs. 

Contact Trademark and Licensing

Trademark and Licensing mission

• Protecting the U of I name and ensuring that its use is compatible with the university's overall brand.
• Assuring that all products or services that bear university trademarks are of high quality and are used only in connection with products and services with which the university has chosen to be identified;
• Preventing misleading or inaccurate representations of relationships to other entities or activities, and preventing others from taking advantage of the goodwill the university has developed and which is symbolized by its trademarks; and
• Assuring that the products and services bearing Idaho's trademarks protect the integrity and reputation of the institution, maintain and build upon the goodwill of the institution, and promote support for and increase awareness of the institution, its mission and goals. 

Logos and graphics

A trademark is a brand name. A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others and to indicate the source of the goods/services.

These trademarks and their variations are acceptable for use to represent the university. For use of any of the trademarks of the university on products by campus departments or organizations, please fill out the Merchandise Order Form. For all other uses, please contact the Trademark and Licensing office. 

Licensing with University of Idaho

Thank you for your interest in producing officially licensed University of Idaho merchandise. We are represented by the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to handle and coordinate all requests for licensing. If you're interested in obtaining a license to produce Idaho merchandise, contact CLC to obtain an application.

Idaho’s program includes about 200 licensed vendors, and we welcome innovative product ideas. To apply or learn more, visit CLC’s website or contact us with questions.  

Crafter’s License

University of Idaho also offers an in-house Crafter’s License for small, home-based entrepreneurs. This license allows individuals to partner their creativity with the brand recognition of the university and sell handmade items featuring U of I trademarks. It’s a great way for local makers to test the market before pursuing a broader retail license through our licensing agency, Learfield Licensing Partners.

Some of the elements that are incorporated into the Crafter License Program:

• Items must be handmade; no commercially manufactured items are allowed.
• If anticipated sales are expected to exceed 500 units or sales revenue exceeds $2,500 in one year, please refer to www.learfieldlicensing.com for more information on the Local or Standard Licenses available through the university’s licensing agent, Learfield Licensing Partners.
• A Crafter’s License allows for sales to individual consumers only, not via wholesale or a third-party retailer. Sales may not be conducted through retail stores.
• A Crafter’s License is only available to individuals within the state of Idaho or in Whitman County, Washington.
• A $120 licensing fee will be charged by the university on an annual basis for gross sales up to $1,000 per year with the following additional fees payable at the end of the year if annual gross sales exceed $1,000;
  • $60 for gross sales between $1,000 and $1,500
  • $120 for gross sales between $1,500 and $2,000; and
  • $160 for gross sales between $2,000 and $2,500
• The Crafter is required to bear all risks in respect of the articles and hold the university harmless. The Crafter may wish to purchase product liability insurance.
• Licenses are valid for a twelve-month period and may be renewed at the sole discretion of the university.
  • A three-month holiday license (for the months Oct. - Dec.) is also available. Please note your request for this shorter license on your application.
  • A $60 licensing fee will be charged for the holiday license for gross sales up to $500 with the same additional fees as noted above with an additional fee of $60 for gross sales between $500 and $1,000.
• Upon execution of a license and receipt of the licensing fee, an Officially Licensed Collegiate Craft certificate will be provided by the university for display by the Crafter. Holograms are not currently available to craft products due to costs.

The application form should be completed and submitted together with an image, photograph or sample of the proposed product by mail, email or through the online form Crafter's License Application.

Once the samples are reviewed and approved, a Crafter’s License Agreement will be sent to the Crafter for review and signature. This License Agreement should be returned with a check or money order made payable to “University of Idaho” and sent to:

Shelby Silflow 
Trademark and Licensing 
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2302 
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2302

Photographs and illustration guidelines

Photographs/Illustrations of University of Idaho

A license agreement IS required and royalties ARE due if:

• The picture or illustration is used as a graphic decoration on a commercial product.
• The packaging or advertisement for the product that contains or carries a photograph or illustration is presented in a manner that implies affiliation or association with Idaho.
• Idaho's Trademarks (including the name "University of Idaho") appear on any packaging or promotional materials and/or announcements that promote the merchandising of the product.

A license agreement is NOT required and NO royalties are due if:

• The photograph or illustration is being purchased for non-commercial (in-home) use.
• The photograph or illustration is to be used in a commercial establishment as decoration, but only in a manner that would not imply an affiliation, endorsement or association with Idaho.
• The photograph or illustration is being used by a recognized news-gathering service for publication or broadcast.
• The photograph or illustration is being used in a historical context by a recognized news agency, publisher, or other service.
• The photograph or illustration is used in an entertainment or artistic context, such as commercial movies or TV shows. The Trademark and Licensing office must receive written requests for approval.

Ordering promotional products

Promotional items market your college, department, program or event in a great way. U of I partners with a select group of approved licensed vendors, including the VandalStore, who are experienced at creating branded promotional products. These vendors can help you create a product design within U of I brand guidelines.

U of I logos and brand graphics are registered trademarks. Use of these trademarks on products require prior approval from the U of I Office of Trademark and Licensing. Royalties are subject to use of registered trademarks.

How to use the brand on products

Do

• Use approved licensees. Check our list of licensed vendors to ensure the company is authorized to sell products with the University of Idaho name.
• Review the university’s promotional use policy.
• Follow U of I brand visual style guidelines for logo usage, colors, typography and other design elements.
• Email the Office of Trademark and Licensing for approval of artwork prior to ordering product.
• Ask the approved vendor for product samples prior to submitting a full order.

Don’t

• Alter any of the university’s trademarks, including logos and graphic elements.
• Use the university’s brand on any products that may be harmful to the image or mission of the university.
• Don’t assign trademark usage rights or otherwise grant permission to any other internal or external entity for any purpose without prior review and approval by the Office of Trademark and Licensing.

Policy and guidelines overview

The purpose of this policy is to provide information and guidelines regarding the use of U of I trademarks.

U of I's Trademark and Licensing program was established as a foundation for promoting and protecting the use of U of I trademarks. A trademark (or mark) is any logo, symbol, nickname, letter(s), word, slogan, or derivative that can be associated with an organization, company, manufacturer or institution and can be distinguished from those of other entities or competitors. U of I owns and controls its name(s) and other marks, logos, insignias, seal, designs and symbols (hereafter, “trademarks”) that are associated with the institution.

U of I trademarks include, but are not limited to, the words “Idaho,” “Vandals,” “University of Idaho,” “Idaho Vandals,” the initials U of I and logos such as the block “I” Vandal, the Vandal script mark, Joe Vandal and the official U of I seal. This policy applies to all U of I marks. Trademark and Licensing oversees only those associated with university branding and does not include those marks managed through the Office of Technology Transfer.

In addition to the marks listed above, any indicia adopted hereafter and used or approved for use by U of I shall be subject to the policies and procedures of Trademark and Licensing. Any derivations of the U of I marks which would cause consumers to erroneously believe that the product originated from or was sponsored or authorized by U of I (“an implied endorsement”) shall also be covered by Trademark and Licensing policies and procedures.

In addition to trademarks, licensing policies extend to the commercial use of university-owned copyrighted materials connected with the university's brand, including university images, the U of I fight song and recordings of music performed by the Vandal Marching Band.

In order to comply with and assure protection under federal, state and international trademark laws, the U of I is required to monitor and control all uses of its trademarks. Unauthorized use of U of I trademarks is subject to civil and criminal penalties. U of I reserves the right to take appropriate action when confronted with unauthorized use of its trademarks. Such actions may include seeking: temporary or permanent injunctions against the trademark infringement, unfair competition, false designation of origin, or false advertising; seizure of the goods; destruction of the infringing articles; monetary awards for actual and/or enhanced damages and other legal remedies.

U of I must control and monitor the use of its trademarks or risk losing its rights to them as unique U of I identifiers. U of I has a compelling interest in controlling the use of its trademarks for other reasons as well. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Protecting the U of I name and ensuring that its use is compatible with U of I's brand.
• Assuring that all products or services that bear U of I trademarks are of high quality and are used only in connection with products and services with which U of I has chosen to be identified;
• Preventing misleading or inaccurate representations of U of I's relationship to other entities or activities, and preventing others from taking advantage of the goodwill U of I has developed and which is symbolized by its trademarks; and
• Assuring that the products and services bearing U of I's trademarks protect the integrity and reputation of the institution, maintain and build upon the goodwill of the institution and promote support for and increase awareness of the institution, its mission and goals.

The use of U of I's trademarks extends through all facets of U of I. Therefore, Trademarks and Licensing is overseen by University Communications and Marketing (UCM), a unit that maintains a university-wide perspective. Trademark and Licensing is housed within UCM and reports directly to the executive director of UCM. U of I has contracted with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to enhance U of I's trademark licensing and promotion efforts. The CLC Consortium consists of more than 300 universities, bowl games and conferences. 

Code of Conduct

Labor Code standards

University of Idaho (hereinafter “U of I”) is committed to conducting its business affairs in a socially responsible and ethical manner consistent with its educational, research and/or service mission, and to protecting and preserving the global environment. While U of I believes that Licensees share this commitment, U of I has adopted the following Labor Code Standards (the Code) which requires that all Licensees, at a minimum, adhere to the principles set forth in the Code.

Throughout the Code the term Licensee shall include all persons or entities which have entered into a written License Agreement to manufacture Licensed Products (as defined in the License Agreement) bearing the names, marks and indicia of U of I. The term Licensee shall for purposes of the Code, and unless otherwise specified in the Code, encompass all of Licensees contractors, subcontractors or manufacturers which produce, assemble or package finished Licensed Products for the consumer.

As a condition of being permitted to produce and/or sell licensed products bearing the name, trademarks and/or images of U of I, each Licensee must comply with this Code. If U of I, in its sole discretion, determines that any Licensee has failed to comply with this Code, then U of I may either terminate its business relationship and License Agreement with the Licensee or require that the Licensee implement a corrective action plan on terms acceptable to U of I. 

Standards

Licensees agree to operate workplaces and contract with companies whose workplaces adhere to the standards and practices described below. Workplace shall be defined as all manufacturing and residential facilities directly operated by the Licensee or those making products for said Licensees. U of I prefers that Licensees exceed these standards.

Legal compliance:

Licensees must comply with all applicable legal requirements of the country/countries of manufacture in conducting business related to or involving the production or sale of Licensed products or materials bearing the name, marks and indicia of U of I. Where there are differences or conflicts with the Code and the laws of the country/countries of manufacture, the higher standard shall prevail, subject to the following considerations. In countries where law or practice conflicts with these labor standards, Licensees agree to consult with governmental, human rights, labor and business organizations and take effective actions to achieve full compliance with each of these standards. Licensees further agree to refrain from any actions that would diminish the protections of these labor standards.