Trademark and Licensing Guidelines

Only an officially licensed vendor may produce merchandise bearing the university trademarks. For a complete listing of Miami University's licensed vendors, please submit a General Inquiry.

A license must be obtained by any company or individual creating merchandise for sale or distribution using any university trademark.

All licensed vendors are required to identify their product with the "Collegiate Licensed Product" label. This label designates that the product has been manufactured in accordance with Miami University’s standards.

All licensed vendors are required to uphold the University’s Code of Conduct. Miami University adopted a Code of Conduct designed to ensure that products bearing the University’s brand are produced under safe and fair working conditions. As a means of implementing the code and ensuring, to the degree possible, compliance with the workplace standards that are part of that code, the University has affiliated with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). The University’s Code summarizes the requirements of the WRC Code of Conduct, which clearly details monitoring, enforcement and inspection requirements of licensees’ factories.

Outside organizations are often interested in being affiliated with Miami University because of the value and goodwill that exist in the University’s brand. The University must protect the integrity of its brand by monitoring and controlling any activity associating an outside organization with the University, and ensure the University receives appropriate consideration for the use of its brand. Below are guidelines for the use of Miami’s brand - word marks, trademarks, logos, and/or symbols - in conjunction with third-party partnerships or sponsorships:

Athletics Sponsorships

• Miami’s athletic marks may only be used in partnerships approved by the Athletic Department. If you are a business that wishes to use the Miami University Athletics’ brand in association with your organization, please contact Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment at 513-529-0322.

Merchandise

• Only approved sponsors who have contract rights to use the University’s brand on merchandise may do so.
• Merchandise produced in conjunction with a sponsorship/partnership must be produced by a licensed vendor and is subject to the standard licensing approval process and University Brand Standards.
• Merchandise is subject to royalties unless otherwise noted by the Manager of University Trademarks and Licensing.

Logo Usage for Approved Sponsor

• The Indian Head logo, Redskins marks, and University Seal may not be used in any sponsorships/partnerships.
• The University’s brand may not be used in conjunction with activities promoting alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, sexually-oriented products, religious products, bathroom articles, or games of chance.
• The University’s brand must be clearly separate from the name, logo, web addresses, or taglines of the sponsor (e.g. front and back, opposite sleeves, separate panels).
• The merchandise must clearly state “Official Sponsor of Miami University” or “Official Sponsor of Miami University Athletics”.

Use of Miami’s brand on printed materials is subject to approval by the Office of University Communications and Marketing. Submissions should be sent to ucm@MiamiOH.edu.

The University’s brand should not be used in association with or in advertising or promotion of a business or used in a manner that might associate or imply endorsements by the University without proper authorization. In most instances, the right to associate one’s business with the University is reserved to its sponsors and key donors, and even then, is limited in application. If approval is granted, a royalty or usage fee will be assessed. Permission is typically granted for a specified length of time and is not open-ended. All merchandise produced by sponsors must be approved by the Manager of University Trademarks and Licensing.

The University’s brand may not be used in the promotion of or in association with weapons, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, controlled substances, drug-related paraphernalia, feminine hygiene products, sex aids, prophylactics, gambling (other than the state lottery) or products or services that are religious or political in nature. The University reserves the right to prohibit other uses that it deems inappropriate or inconsistent with the image and mission of an educational institution.

The university will not tolerate the use of its name or trademarks with text or graphics that are judged to be sexually suggestive, profane, racist or sexist or intimidating or derisive of any individual, group, business or institution, including other colleges or universities or that infringes upon the trademark or copyright of a third party.

Merchandise bearing the University’s brand and/or services without proper written University authorization may be considered counterfeit or infringing and subject to all available legal remedies, including, but not limited to, seizure of the merchandise and injunctive relief.

University logos should not be altered in any fashion. For further information, see the Miami Brand Standards or submit a General Inquiry. We will respond to you promptly.

Prior to using third party logos, derivatives of third party logos, or quotes on Miami branded merchandise, the Office of University Trademarks and Licensing must receive written permission from the third party granting approval to use their logo and/or quote on products. Once the permission is granted from the third party, the Office of University Trademarks and Licensing will determine if the association with the third party is approved.

When negotiating University contracts with third party vendors, any reference to the use of the University's brand by the third party must be reviewed and approved by the Office of University Trademarks and Licensing prior to execution of the contract.

Miami University’s Trademarks & Licensing Program recognizes that on some occasions it may be desirous to incorporate a patriotic theme with University trademarks. Out of utmost respect for our nation’s flag and those who serve to protect it, we have adopted a licensing policy, which mirrors the U.S. Code on “Respect for the Flag”, below is that code provision:

U.S. Code, Chapter 10, Section 176 Respect for Flag

(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor any part of it,nor
attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture
or drawing of any nature.

(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any
manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which a flag is flown.

For other information regarding flag usage, please refer to the U.S.Code.

Miami University’s seal is the most official and honored mark of Miami. The seal should be used by the President’s Office for ceremonial purposes and official documents —including diplomas, presidential and trustee materials, legal and official university documentation and the highest awards and certificates. Additionally, the seal may be used for formal occasions or on items of distinction —including commencement items, high-end gifts, and university chairs. To be considered as an item of distinction, the item must have retail value of at least seventy-five dollars.

Since the seal is meant for formal use, no other graphic elements shall compete with it so its detailed illustrations can be used to the greatest effect. University Communications and Trademarks and Licensing can help determine if an item is appropriate for use of the seal.

The use of any trademark that identifies, or is associated with, Miami University may not be used without the prior expressed written authorization of Miami University (represented by the Manager of University Trademarks and Licensing). Only an officially licensed vendor may produce merchandise bearing the University’s trademarks and is subject to the following sourcing requirements:

• Licensee shall strictly comply with and conform to the University’s Code of Conduct in the manufacture, distribution and sale of the licensed merchandise.
• Licensee agrees to disclose to Miami University all of the factory names and locations where the licensed merchandise is manufactured.
• Licensee acknowledges that Miami University has affiliated with the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC), and licensee must abide by the terms and conditions of the WRC.
• Any Miami University licensee that sources, produces or purchases products in Bangladesh must be a member of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh or the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety.
• Licensee must source (i.e. produce and/or purchase) all licensed product themselves. For example, a licensed vendor cannot accept blank product from a University Department, Student Organization, or Club Sport to embellish.

If you receive a final product from a licensed vendor that is incorrect or of poor quality, please submit a General Inquiry with details. We will respond to you promptly.

Any and all uses of the names, numbers, and/or images of Miami’s student athletes must comply with University policies and NCAA regulations. Questions should be directed to the Trademarks & Licensing Office who will consult as appropriate with Miami Athletics.