Home Licensing Information

Licensing Information

Any commercial use of NC State’s name or trademarks requires advanced permission from the university via a contract or trademark license agreement. Once approved, the business or person requesting permission becomes a "licensee" and the individual products (or services) become "licensed products" (or "licensed services").

Before applying for a trademark license, you should have a plan and do your homework. Some  product categories of the retail market for collegiate merchandise have become oversaturated, resulting in pressure to maintain quality and standards and creating confusion among purchasers. Therefore, licenses may not be granted to new companies in certain categories. The best strategies to be successful in obtaining a license are the same as for most other businesses: be unique, fit a niche, carve out different distribution channels or provide added value.

NC State University uses the services of a collegiate licensing agency, the Licensing Resource Group, to administer the application process, royalty reporting, artwork approvals, enforcement and general administration to handle its 500-plus licensees. The group’s website, www.lrgusa.com, has information about collegiate licensing that can be beneficial to an applicant.

Application Process

• Complete the application form. Submit with application fee and a representative generic sample of the product(s). Note: Do not include the university’s trademark on the sample. If approved, the process will move into the licensing phase.
• Licensing phase: A licensing agreement will be sent to your attention. Complete it and submit with an advance royalty payment and a certificate of adequate insurance. Licenses expire June 30 each year.
• Artwork and administration phase: The completed licensing agreement will be returned to the new licensee along with artwork, Collegiate Licensed Product labeling information and royalty reporting forms.
• Product approvals: Submit a finished sample for approval before selling your product.  

Code of Conduct

In January 1999, NC State University adopted a Code of Conduct designed to ensure that products bearing the marks of the university are produced under healthy, safe and fair working conditions. As a means of implementing the code and of ensuring, to the degree possible, compliance with the workplace standards that are part of that code, the university has affiliated with the Fair Labor Association (FLA). This code summarizes the requirements of the FLA Code of Conduct, which clearly details monitoring, enforcement and inspection requirements. In addition, NC State licensees are required to affiliate with the FLA in the appropriate licensee category and to disclose factory locations where licensed goods are produced. Insert photo of sweatshop labor

Sponsorships, Advertising, Promotions

If the proposed use would identify, promote or advertise goods or services, the request should be sent directly to the Trademark Licensing Office at trademark_licensing@ncsu.edu or Trademark Licensing, Admin. Services Bldg. 1, Campus Box 7291, Raleigh, NC 27695-7291 (for example, if a business wants to print one of the university's wolf images on shopping bags or a private apartment complex wants to use the name "NC State Commons").

 

Photography or Filming on NC State Campus

Being a licensee does not convey permission to film or photograph on the university’s campus or to use the campus buildings as backdrops in advertising, promotions or packaging. All commercial photography, filmmaking or videotaping on the campus of North Carolina State University must be approved by the Office of Public Affairs. More Info