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Official University Business

University departments are permitted to use university marks for official university business purposes without prior approval. Official university business is defined as situations that indicate university ownership, sponsorship or participation, including but not limited to publications and other documents; stationery; signage; advertising for the department's services; equipment and supplies and websites. All such uses must be in accordance with any other applicable university policy, such as that regarding websites, and should follow the university brand book guidelines. The brand book portal includes links to download presentations, stationery, the NC State University red brick logo and more.

University or University Department as Sponsor or Source of Services and Goods 

Companies, government agencies and organizations that interact with NC State’s colleges and departments in research sponsorship, collaborations and projects and who may wish to use the university’s trademarks for their own presentations, case studies and websites must receive written permission prior to its use. If the proposed use is related to sponsored research, athletics or some other discrete area of the university, the Trademark Licensing Office will consult with that unit before making a decision.

Affiliated Organizations

No organization associated with the university is exempt from the licensing program. All items sold through affiliated organizations bearing university logos must be purchased from licensed manufacturers and such items are not exempt from royalties.

Vendors and Contractors

N.C. Administrative Code at Title 1, chapter 5B, part .1516 says: "No contract shall be used for any advertising by the contractor." The university's purchasing and contract management offices will review contracts and vendor performance to prevent advertising or promotion based on the existence of a contract with the university.

Products, Fund-raisers 

University departments may use university trademarks to raise funds for their own organizations or solicit charitable support with permission of the Trademark Licensing Office. Items purchased for sale must be acquired from licensed manufacturers and have the design artwork approved by the NC State Trademark Licensing Office (licensed manufacturers will submit the artwork for you). The manufacturer will be required to pay royalties on the product in such cases. Merchandise for resale, even as a fund-raiser for charity, requires royalties to be paid by the manufacturer.

Artwork and Photography

Photographs and artwork bearing the university's name, logo, marks or other reference are covered by the licensing program. This includes reproductions and mass-produced artwork that refer to the university. (Example: note cards with campus sketch on front with reference to NC State.).

Trademark Registration Assistance for Departments

The Trademark Licensing Office is the designated clearinghouse for all university-related trademarks. All university-derived marks are the property of North Carolina State University and will be registered as such in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Our role in the trademark registration process is to ensure proper steps are taken for you as the client in the registration, renewals, and affidavits of use requirements. No additional fees will be assessed for our services beyond the required filing fees as stated by the USPTO and outside counsel

• Questions to ask prior to submitting a request for Trademark Registration