INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
35.10
Revised 10-05
Trademark Licensing Office
335-2202
PDF link
OVERVIEW
The name, Washington State University, and its logo are the exclusive property of the institution and consequently may not be used in support of claims or advertisements made by any outside organization without the permission of the President or designee. (Faculty Manual)
Trademarks
All logos, seals, names, symbols, and slogans associated with Washington State University are trademarks and are the exclusive property of Washington State University. See the trademark policy. procedures, and definitions in this section for more information.
Stationery
University stationery may be used only for official University business. (Faculty Manual)
Reports
No report or statement relating to private consulting or other services may use the name of Washington State University or be attributed to it. (Faculty Manual)
WSU TRADEMARKS
Washington State University monitors all uses of its trademarks to assure compliance with federal trademark law. Unauthorized uses of Washington State University's trademarks are subject to civil and criminal penalties. See below.
The purpose of this policy is to provide information and guidelines to the University community regarding the use of Washington State University trademarks. The overall purposes of the licensing program are to protect Washington State University trademarks and to promote the University.
University authorization is required to reproduce these marks for resale or other commercial purposes. Contact the Trademarks and Licensing Office for authorization and information; telephone 335-2202.
Washington State University reserves the right to approve or disapprove any use of the trademarks, even if not explicitly addressed by the policy or procedures in this section.
Applicability
This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, academic departments, ad hoc groups, administrative divisions/departments, alumni organizations, informal groups, and student organizations. External suppliers and manufacturers are to comply with their licensing agreements with the University.
Exception
This policy does not apply to patents or the use of trademarks registered in association with a patented technology by the WSU Research Foundation. Contact the Office of Intellectual Property Administration regarding intellectual property issues; telephone 335-5526.
Administering Office
The Trademarks and Licensing Office is responsible for protecting the use of Washington State University trademarks and for licensing commercial use of the marks.
The Trademarks and Licensing Office and their licensing agent, the Collegiate Licensing Company, negotiate and administer licenses with manufacturers that wish to trade upon the University name.
The Trademarks and Licensing Office ensures that each use of the University's name is professional, tasteful, and of a quality that reflects positively on the University.
Definitions
Trademarks
The term trademark includes the following:
- 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 from those of others.
- A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. Throughout this policy, the terms "trademark" and "mark" refer to both trademarks and service marks.
The University's trademarks include but are not limited to: the words "Washington State University," Washington State Cougars, WSU Cougars, Coug(s), Wazzu, Cougar(s), Apple Cup; the Cougar head logo, the official seal of the University, the Butch Mascot design, and all current and future trademarks, service marks, word marks, designs, or logos used by Washington State University.
Spirit marks are University-approved symbols and words which are used to communicate school spirit. For information and examples, go to the Marketing Communications Graphic Identity website at:
The academic signature consists of a combination of the words "Washington State University" in the official University font and the Cougar head symbol. The signature serves to identify the University in all forms of communication. For information and examples, go to the Marketing Communications Graphic Identity website at:
Licensing/Licensee
Licensing is the process of obtaining legal permission through a contract for the right to use an individual's or organization's trademarks. An individual or company who enters into such an agreement is referred to as a licensee.
Suppliers
Suppliers include, but are not limited to: manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives, agents, wholesalers, distributors, printers, embroiderers, and screen printers.
PROCEDURES FOR USING TRADEMARKS
Washington State University's trademarks are intended to present a positive image of the University.
Individuals and/or companies must obtain written agreement from the University prior to using the University's trademarks in the name of a business, logo, advertising services, domain name, or on a product in a way that may state or imply an endorsement. See "Commercial Use" below.
Individuals and/or companies may not counterfeit, copy, or colorably imitate University trademarks, except as allowed under "Student Organizations" below.
Individuals and/or companies are not to use the University's trademarks in any way that discriminates against any persons or groups based on age, ancestry, belief, color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or in any other way which violates the University's antidiscrimination policies.
Commercial Use
Commercial use of Washington State University trademarks is defined as items bearing University trademarks which are intended for resale, advertisement, business domain name, or for promotional use.
Items for Resale
Items for resale are products (e.g., cups, sweatshirts, balloons, etc.) bearing University trademarks which are sold in the following ways:
- To campus and private retailers,
- To individual customers,
- At University sporting events,
- On campus by student groups with vending permits, or
- For fund-raising projects.
Promotional Use
Items bearing the trademarks of the University and those of a commercial business, such as a restaurant, which are either sold or given away are promotional and considered commercial.
Purchasing Merchandise for Commercial Use
The Trademarks and Licensing Office has established licensing agreements with a number of suppliers who provide a variety of products. To view the current list of licensed suppliers, go to:
Individuals or groups seeking a supplier are to review this list to determine if the required items are available from one of the current licensees. If the items are available from an unlicensed supplier only, consult with the Trademarks and Licensing Office.
Registered student organizations, as defined in WAC 504-28-020, may use spirit marks for stationery, posters, signs, and banners dealing with the on-campus activities of the organization. (See above for a definition of spirit marks.) Such use of spirit marks must reflect positively on the University and the logos must be reproduced accurately.
Student organizations must obtain approval from the Trademarks and Licensing Office for all artwork prior to use. Contact the Trademarks and Licensing Office; telephone 335-2202, or e-mail to:
Recruitment Activities
Student organizations involved in recruitment activities outside the university must incorporate academic signatures and University branding elements into all recruitment materials. Follow the advisory guidelines for academic signatures and branding elements available from the Marketing Communications Graphic Identity website at:
Class Projects
Any item, artwork, or project which is produced as part of a course and which uses University trademarks for noncommercial purposes does not require a license and is royalty exempt.
However, in order to monitor use to assure protection of the trademarks, the Trademarks and Licensing Office requests that the student or team leader notify the Office of the use of a trademark prior to the start of the project. Trademarks and Licensing requests that the faculty member conducting the class direct the student to send the notification by e-mail to:
Campus Departments
Campus departments may purchase products for internal use or as giveaway promotional products bearing University trademarks and the name of the department. Departments are required to use licensed suppliers. To view the current list of licensed suppliers, go to:
Departments are to use the academic signature in most cases. (See above.) If unsure which University marks to use, departments may contact Marketing Communications for advice by e-mail to:
Departments may also view the advisory guidelines from the Marketing Communications Graphic Identity website at:
Sales Restricted to Campus Events
A recognized student group or campus department may sell or give away products, e.g., t-shirts, bearing the marks of the University and the name and logo of the group/department, if the products relate directly to an on-campus activity sponsored by that group.
The licensed suppliers of the products must obtain artwork approval from the Trademarks and Licensing Office prior to production.
Student groups may use the spirit marks. Campus departments are to use the academic signature in most cases. If unsure which University marks to use, groups and departments may contact Marketing Communications for advice by e-mail to:
or may view the advisory guidelines from the Marketing Communications Graphic Identity website at:
The Trademarks and Licensing Office must grant approval to all outside vendors using University trademarks, even if the vendors are producing items for University-affiliated groups. The University-affiliated organization or department must purchase such merchandise from a licensed vendor to avoid any possibility of trademark infringement. For additional informational, contact the Trademarks and Licensing Office; telephone 335-2202, or e-mail to:
Product and Art Approval Committee
The Trademarks and Licensing Office reserves the right to decline any products or art designs that do not promote the goodwill and reputation of the University.
The Trademarks and Licensing Office refers all appeals to the Product and Art Approval Committee. The Committee reviews each appeal for the appropriateness of the product or art design for the vision and mission of the University.
The Committee notifies the requesting individual or organization of a decision within 30 days after the date that the Committee receives the appeal. The Committee's decision is final.
Individuals and suppliers who use Washington State University trademarks without permission from the Trademarks and Licensing Office or their agent, the Collegiate Licensing Company, are subject to:
- Cease-and-desist notice,
- Seizure of all unapproved merchandise, and/or
- Legal proceeding.
For more information about the Collegiate Licensing Company, go to:
Criminal Penalties
Criminal penalties for misuse of trademarks are provided for in RCW 9.16.030 to .060. Manufacture of a counterfeit trademark is classified as a gross misdemeanor, while sale or advertisement of an unauthorized trademark is a misdemeanor.
Trademark Protection for University Programs
If an internal campus program is seeking trademark protection, the department is to complete the questionnaire available on the Trademarks and Licensing website before contacting the trademark office. To view the questionnaire, go to: