MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Hofstra University Trademark Licensing Program
Over the years, the symbols, icons, traditions and trademarks of Hofstra University have come to represent the passion of our alumni, fans, students and student-athletes. Hofstra’s visual identity distills the qualities that make the University unique, and it conveys this “brand” to the world.
The promise of academic excellence in an environment that encourages, nurtures, and supports learning through the free and open exchange of ideas are attributes of the University that come alive in a very real and meaningful way for thousands of people around the world when they see the University seal, the Hofstra University wordmark, and other Hofstra “marks”. To ensure that these marks and images are used properly, the University has established a formal trademark licensing program.
This program strives to promote, enhance, protect, and elevate the image of the University by authorizing the use of our trademarks on high-quality, socially-responsible and tasteful merchandise and apparel. The program is administered by the Marketing and CommunicationsOffice and in partnership with CLC.
Any person, department, organization (including student organizations) or corporation wishing to manufacture a product bearing or containing any of the marks of the University, or to provide a service that will use the marks, must enter into a licensing agreement that authorizes such use. Examples of products include giveaways, apparel, uniforms, sports equipment, etc.
Only these officially licensed, approved vendors (licensees) may produce items bearing the University’s trademarks or name. Those wishing to become licensed can obtain an application packet. All vendor questions regarding the application and approval process should be directed to Learfield’s license administrators at (770) 956-0520.
In addition to the application and license renewal processes, CLC manages royalty reporting, artwork approvals, enforcement, promotions and general administration of the University’s licensees.
Once a vendor is licensed, they can access current, accurate Hofstra University logos and marks from Brand Manager 360, CLC’s web based artwork database. Product designs must be submitted into Brand Manager 360 for review and approval prior to being produced. Items bearing Hofstra’s trademarks without a license may be considered “counterfeit” and subject to all available legal remedies, including seizure of the items. Additionally, licensed vendors who fail to submit designs for pre-production approval may have their license revoked.
Hofstra’s up-to-date licensee list can always be found on CLC’s website. Search for Hofstra, then click “view”.
Definitions
Trademarks
As defined by the U.S. Patent & Trademarks Office, “a trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party form those of others.” A trademark need not be registered in order to have protectable rights to it, simply by using or displaying a mark acquires automatic trademark rights to the owner.
Registered trademarks
The following marks have an active registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
Licensing
Licensing is the process of obtaining legal permission through a contract for the right to use an entity’s trademarks.
Trademarks License
A license is a written agreement between the owner of the trademark (licensor) and a manufacturer/ vendor (licensee). The licensor grants permission to the licensee to affix the licensor’s trademark(s) on a product(s). This license must be in place before use of the marks.
Licensee / Supplier
An individual or company who enters into such an agreement is referred to as a licensee or licensed supplier. Suppliers include, but are not limited to: manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, agents, wholesalers, distributors, printers, embroiderers and screen printers.
More than a Label
The “Collegiate Licensed Products” label not only signifies that the merchandise has passed the standards set forth by Hofstra University; it also signifies that a portion of the purchase is returned to the University. At Hofstra, revenues generated from the sale of licensed products help to provide for scholarships at Hofstra University, making the “Collegiate Licensed Products” label truly more than just a label.
