Departmental licensing information
Guidelines
The university may be referred to in the following ways:
- Virginia Tech®
- Hokies®
- Virginia Tech Hokies®
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University®
The following marks are incorrect and thus are not acceptable in referring to the university, either graphically or editorially:
- VPI
- Va (or VA) Tech
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute
- Virginia Tech University
Other licensed trademarks (must use the registered designation, ®)
- Hokies®
- Invent the Future®
- University seal image
- University logo image
- University shield image
- VT logo image
The following image marks must use the trademark symbol, ™:
- TV vintage logo
- Tech vintage logo
- VT helmet
- Hokie tracks
- Baby HokieBird
The trademarked HokieBird® and/or VT® are limited to athletic and informal usage and must not be used for academic applications, academic products, or university websites.
The university shield and shield logo both have a protected area. No lines, words, or artwork may overlap or intersect this mark, and no changes may be made to the design.
The ® or ™ designation must be used in conjunction with all university marks as listed above.
The official Virginia Tech colors are maroon (PMS 208) and orange (PMS 158).
Virginia Tech marks may not be used in conjunction with other trademarks or registered marks without written permission from the owner of the mark. Questions about the status of a mark for usage in products meant for resale should be referred to the Office of Licensing & Trademarks Administration. Direct all other questions to branding@vt.edu or 540-231-3899.
The licensing office will provide assistance in determining proprietary rights (for example, using Virginia Tech with the Nike slogan “Just Do It,” or using VT with U.Va.) and will answer questions about the status of a mark.
Virginia Tech marks may not be used in conjunction with references to alcohol or drugs. Nor will any use of university trademarks that is judged to be in poor taste be allowed.
Royalties are usually waived for items produced exclusively for a specific club, organization, or department when the design bears the name of the group and the products are being sold to the members at cost. Items bearing university trademarks that are being sold as fundraisers by RSOs are usually not subject to standard royalty rates. A determination of whether royalties apply will be made on a case-by-case basis by the licensing office.
University departments, colleges, organizations, and the vendor must obtain written permission by e-mail or fax from the licensing office to use Virginia Tech marks. Examples include, but are not limited to, pens, notebooks, caps, shirts, jackets, glassware, pins, and key rings. An approval letter will be submitted to the vendor printing the item. The letter will serve as the university’s approval for the vendor to produce Virginia Tech marks and will inform the vendor of royalty requirements.
Only licensed vendors may produce items bearing university trademarks.
Students
Students wanting to produce T-shirts and other commercial-type items must submit designs to the licensing office for written approval through a licensed vendor or must e-mail the artwork to the office.
Department procedure for purchasing items bearing Virginia Tech trademarks
Departments should adhere to the following guidelines for purchasing items bearing Virginia Tech trademarks with either HokieMart orders or American Express:
The design being purchased must be submitted to the licensing office for approval before the order is placed.
The name of the vendor producing the order should be submitted to the licensing office with the design. The vendor must be licensed with the university. If the vendor selected is not licensed, the licensing director will determine whether or not the vendor may be used.
If the design is approved, the licensing office will write an approval e-mail allowing the vendor to produce the design and giving the vendor royalty information including whether or not royalties are waived. A copy of this e-mail should be submitted to the vendor with the HokieMart order.
Requisition for purchase
The design being purchased must be submitted to the licensing office for approval before the requisition is sent to the Purchasing Office.
If the design is approved, the licensing office will write an approval e-mail that references the requisition number. A copy of the letter should be attached to the requisition package and submitted to the Purchasing Office.
The vendor winning the bid must be licensed with the university or must sign the one-time limited agreement that will be forwarded to them by the Purchasing Office.