Below you will find the most common Frequently Asked Questions involving Licensing. If you don’t find the answer to your question, you should feel free to contact the Licensing and Trademarks office at iulogo@iu.edu.
IU Licensing FAQ
Collegiate Licensed Properties Association (CLPA)
No. The requirement to display a CLPA label/sticker on all Indiana University licensed products is still required, but the vendor from which licensees purchase these labels is changing from OpSec to Brand Comply.
No. Any new label order placed after July 1, 2020 will need to be made through Brand Comply. Licensees should continue to use any remaining CLPA stickers/labels they may have on hand until that supply is depleted, even if that stretches into late 2020 and beyond.
The existing CLPA website will still be operational under the new vendor and you may go there to place any new label orders. Pricing on stickers/labels will be comparable to what OpSec was offering licensees. Note that Brand Comply has plans to redesign the webpage by July 1. As of today, the site still shows OpSec’s contact information, however this will change.
The new CLPA design as offered by Brand Comply will have a refreshed look but will also utilize design elements from the existing design. Brand Comply plans to offer a 1.5 x .875-inch sticker and a 1.375 x 4-inch hangtag.
Licensing
A trademark license grants individuals, organizations or corporations authorization to produce commercial goods or services bearing University trademarks. There are three types of licenses available:
- Retail License – A Retail License allows an individual, organization or corporation to produce and sell commercial products or services bearing University marks.
- Promotional License – A Promotional License allows an individual, organization or corporation to produce and sell products or services with University marks for internal University consumption only.
- Craft License – A Craft License allows an unincorporated, one-person operation, to produce specialty handcrafted products with University trademarks. The determination of craft status is made by Indiana University.
Anyone wishing to produce commercial goods or services bearing University trademarks must obtain a license to do so.
The University has established the following guidelines for all licensees:
- Insurance: All licensees are required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in General Liability insurance that names the Trustees of Indiana University as additional insured's. Certain types of products will require $3,000,000 in General Liability insurance. Call the Licensing and Trademark Office for more information.
- Code of Conduct: The University requires that all licenses maintain a strict code of conduct.
---View the IU Licensing and Trademarks Code of Conduct--- - Royalty Reporting: Licensees are required to remit a quarterly royalty report detailing gross sales, as well as any applicable payment.
- References: When applying for a license the University will verify the applicant's status as a business, check a minimum of three business references, and require a letter of verification from the applicant's financial institution. The University will also review physical samples of the products for which licensing has been requested.. Please note that applicants do not have the authorization to use University trademarks until they are granted a license. Do not submit samples bearing University trademarks with your application.
Licensees of Indiana University are authorized to produce products bearing University trademarks. Licensees may also advertise themselves as an "Officially Licensed Vendor of Indiana University".
- Applicants will pay a one-time application fee of $100.
- Upon becoming licensed, an annual advanced guaranteed royalty will be due. The amount due will depend upon the amount and type of products licensed.
- A 12% royalty is assessed on the gross sales of all products.
To become licensed visit https://licensing.iu.edu/. Download and complete the licensing application pertaining to the type of license you wish to acquire.
Mail completed documents, application fee, references, insurance and sample products to:
Indiana University Licensing and Trademarks
711 E. State Rd 45/46 Bypass
Bloomington, IN 47408
All applications will be reviewed on the first and third Tuesday of each month by the Licensing and Trademarks Office.
Products
Licensees may only produce the products identified on their Agreement. The Licensing and Trademarks Office manages what products a licensee is allowed to produce.
Indiana University will not approve the use of its trademarks in conjunction with certain types of products. These include, but are not limited to:
- Alcohol products
- Tobacco products
- Illegal drug products
- Inherently dangerous products, including weapons, firearms or explosives
- Sexually suggestive products
- Products that contain racist, sexist, hateful, demeaning or degrading language or images
- Products that use profanity
- Gambling-related products
- Products that contain statements impugning other universities
- Products that present an unacceptable risk of liability
- Products that are harmful to the mission or integrity of the institution
- Products that contain another entity’s registered trademark, unless explicit
The IU Seal is reserved for Trustee, Presidential, ceremonial, or commemorative use. It is not designed for use on commercial or promotional products. Use of the seal on commercial or promotional products must be approved through the Office of Licensing and Trademarks.
Look for the holographic red and blue CLP label, which denotes an Officially Licensed Indiana University Product.
Licensees should submit art through IU's online art submittal site, or email designs to iulogo@indiana.edu.
Miscellaneous
The use of a ™ or ® depends upon the product on which the trademark will be used. Please contact the Office of Licensing and Trademarks for up-to-date instructions on the proper use of legal notices.
Please refer to the ---Licensing and Trademarks Styleguides.---