Trademark & Logo Use
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Licensing and Trademark Program was developed to promote, enhance, evaluate and protect the university's identity and brand, ensuring the proper and appropriate use of its name, logos and trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
As defined by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, "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/service."
A strong visual identity contributes to the UAF reputation and brand; increases our ability to recruit outstanding students, staff and faculty; and allows us to engage alumni, donors and friends. Using consistent visual elements builds greater awareness and recognition of the University.
Goals of the UAF Licensing & Trademark Program
- Ensure the proper use of trademarks, service marks, logos and insignias on products associated with the university to maintain standards in keeping with the quality of UAF.
- Protect the university's reputation, good name and image by permitting only appropriate uses and assuring that only quality products bear the university's name, initials or logos through requiring that official licensees are used to imprint or produce any product bearing UAF marks unless they are produced on campus by authorized units.
- Generate royalty income to benefit UAF and student scholarships.
The name University of Alaska Fairbanks, the initials UAF, the UAF logo and the word Nanook(s) are trademarks of UAF and reserved for official UAF use.
University Relations reviews all designs incorporating UAF’s marks that are affixed to promotional items being offered for sale or free distribution to the public. Approval of artwork is required prior to production of the merchandise.
Please visit the University Relations website for guidance on proper branding and send artwork or design questions to University Relations.
Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is the primary licensing agent for UAF. As such, CLC is responsible for administering the licensing program; including processing of vendor applications, collecting royalties and enforcing proper trademark usage.
CLC holds a seat on the Fair Labor Association's University Advisory Council and Executive Committee as well as regularly attends meetings and industry events covering anti-sweatshop considerations. CLC requires all active licensees to disclose detailed information regarding manufacturing locations used to produce licensed merchandise. Manufacturers applying for a license are required to disclose this information during the application process.
Any use of all marks requires written approval prior to production. The name and marks of UAF are controlled under a licensing program administered through CLC.
A world-class licensing firm, CLC consists of more than 560 colleges and universities, athletic conferences, the special properties nationwide. The mission of CLC is to provide the best practices and strategies in the industry, to properly protect and promote its member institutions brands and offer new resources and strategies for growth.
CLC is a full-service licensing and marketing company, which employs a staff of licensing professionals with the capability to establish and manage every aspect of a collegiate licensing program.
The licensing process can vary in length, based on the licensee's responsiveness in meeting CLC and the university's policies and requests throughout the process. Many licensees complete the application process within two months, while others may take longer depending on how quickly they meet the requirements.
Generally the process is divided into three steps:
- Complete and submit a CLC licensing application. 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.
- A licensing agreement is 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. However, new licensees can begin at any time of the year.
- The completed licensing agreement is returned to the new licensee along with artwork, Collegiate Licensed Product (CLP) labeling information and royalty reporting forms.
Until the licensee receives fully executed copies of the Agreement, it remains unauthorized to produce and/or distribute any merchandise incorporating the trademarks of the university.
There are three options in pursing a license with UAF and CLC:
- Standard License - Intended for companies that are capable of extensive production and retail distribution of their product(s) and/or are introducing a unique and commercially viable product to the collegiate market.
- Local License - For companies that desire to obtain a license with the university and are located in UAF's immediate in-state market.
- Internal Campus Supplier License - For companies that wish to produce items purchased by UAF for internal use only. An Internal Campus Supplier Licensee is not permitted to sell product(s) to retailers, direct to consumers, to non-exempt school departments or any entity unrelated to the university.
To obtain details concerning licensing, royalties, rates and procedures for commercial enterprises, please contact
Kalen Thigpen
Collegiate Licensing Company
kalen.thigpen@clc.com
Your correspondence should include your name, company name and contact information.
The CLC website has information beneficial to an applicant including their partnership with UAF and other institutions. Once a licensed, CLC will supply the licensee with a username and password to access the Brand Manager 360 platform. Licensees are required to submit all designs bearing university trademarks for review and approval prior to production, as well as report monthly sales and royalties. Please contact CLC directly with questions or for more information.
Only licensed vendors may be used to purchase UAF branded merchandise.
Standard and Internal Campus Suppliers
- Standard vendors are used for "resale" and "non-resale" items, e.g. any merchandise you wish to use as a give away or sell
- Internal Campus Suppliers are used for "non resale" items only, e.g. prizes, give aways, free merchandise, etc.
Local Licensees
- For questions about available local licensed vendors, please contact UAF Interim Creative Director Danny Vaziri at dvaziri@alaska.edu.
Dining Services & Contract Operations must approve the use of UAF trademarks for non-UAF promotions, items for resale or other purposes.
Royalty waivers are approved on a one time basis only. A request for royalty waiver is required each time an order is made with a vendor.
The only items exempt from royalties are those items produced as giveaways used to promote UAF programs or events. All other uses of trademarks on products resulting in a profit gain are subject to royalties. This includes sales for fundraising projects, sales to individual members of an organization or if the price of an item is built into a fee (e.g. event registration or donation).
Please submit a completed form to
Dining Services & Contracts Operations
Email: uaf.aux@alaska.edu
The Licensing and Trademark Program is administered by Dining Services & Contract Operations.