The University of Tennessee is proud of its reputation as a national leader in teaching, research, and public service, as well as in intercollegiate athletics. The university's students, faculty, staff, and alumni are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, both inside and outside the classroom. With this dedication to excellence comes the responsibility to protect and preserve the university's good name and reputation.
Established in 1983, the university's trademark licensing program protects the use of the university's names, logos, slogans, insignias, symbols, and mascots. These indicia are trademarks and service marks and are protected by federal and state law. Any use is prohibited unless authorized by the University of Tennessee.
The university's trademark licensing program sets standards for the commercial use of all university trademarks. In addition, the program provides a means to identify licensed products as "officially licensed." One goal of the program is to ascertain that these products are in good taste and are appropriate to the university's status as a leading institution of higher education.
The program also assures the university shares in the benefits derived from the commercial use of both its trademarks and service marks. Consumers may purchase licensed products with the knowledge that the proceeds help support the University of Tennessee.
This formal licensing program is administered through the Office of Trademark Licensing and in partnership with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC).
CLC is the nation's leading collegiate licensing and marketing representative. Formed in 1981, CLC assists collegiate licensors in protecting and controlling the use of their logos through trademark licensing.
The CLC Consortium consists of more than 200 universities, bowl games, conferences, the NCAA and the Heisman Trophy. Based in Atlanta, CLC provides its member institutions the expertise, resources and experience necessary to maximize licensing revenue potential through the power of consolidation.
There are several types of licensing agreements. The following agreements are administered by The Collegiate Licensing Company. The Trademark Licensing Office will aid individuals, companies, departments and organizations in securing the proper agreement and forms. Types of agreements include:
The following agreements are administered by the Office of Trademark Licensing:
If the following applies to you, please complete the Application for a Local/Crafter Licensee form. A crafter is defined as an individual producing domestic handcrafted items in the home with collegiate marks, and selling/distributing to individual consumers via events or direct sales. This might include events organized by church, school, county, state, craft, holiday, Junior League, street festivals, gift marts, or flea markets. In addition, nor more than (100) units may be sold per year and less than ($1000) total sales per year per University. No sales will be permitted on a wholesale basis or to a third party retailer.
For more information, please visit Licensing FAQ or contact either CLC or the Trademark Licensing Office directly.
