Licensing FAQs

Any individual or manufacturer wishing to use the University’s marks, logos and symbols must obtain a license.

Although departments and student groups affiliated with the University do not need to be licensed themselves, they must use a licensed vendor to produce items bearing the University’s marks.

Yes. University departments and affiliated organizations need permission to use any of the University’s marks.

Prior to production, please reach out to:

• University Communications Director of Creative Services for literature, signage, etc.
• The Licensing Department for physical merchandise or other items

No. All products that University departments or affiliates wish to have produced bearing the name and marks of the University must be produced by one of our licensed vendors.

Many of the University’s departments, divisions and student groups have developed trademarks to promote their specific group. These marks may be used only by these areas and are not available to the general public.

Examples of departments with registered trademarks in this category are Alumni Affairs and Niner Nation.

It is typically easier to work with an established licensee than to license a new product or idea. Contact the Licensing Department for assistance finding a vendor who suits your product needs. A list of current licensees by product is available on the CLC’s Licensee Search.

While the University allows its marks to be applied to a wide variety of products, UNC Charlotte will not allow its marks to be applied to:

• consumables
• health & beauty products
• tobacco-related products

Look for the label! Every licensed vendor is required to attach the “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” label (shown below).

Licensed vendors return a portion of the money paid for an item to the University, so make sure that your purchases are as authentic as your support.

The University colors are green and white, so product colors should be comparable.

Colors that may not be used include:

• Black and gold, used together
• Red, orange, blue, purple and any other colors not in direct relation to the University colors.

Trademark licensing is a contractual relationship under which a trademark owner grants another the right to use a mark, subject to terms of the contract. Trademark licensing does not transfer ownership of the mark (CLC, “Licensing Basics,” 2003).

The symbol “TM” stands for trademark, and the symbol “SM” stands for service mark. Both of these are informal symbols that indicate you claim common law trademark rights to a name or logo. These two symbols are used prior to obtaining full federal registration.

The symbol (R), the phrase “Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,” or the abbreviation “Reg U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.” denote that the mark has been granted full federal registration. This means that the owner of the mark may prosecute anyone who uses the mark without permission.

CLC Collegiate Licensing Company is the licensing representative for UNC Charlotte. CLC is responsible for administering the licensing program, including processing applications, collecting royalties, enforcing trademarks and pursuing new market opportunities. A CLC representative may be contacted at licensing@clc.com.

For print and digital media, please contact University Communications. For merchandise you believe is in violation, please contact the Collegiate Licensing Company.