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Licensing and Trademark

Departmental Licensing Information

Guidelines

1. The university may be referred to by the following verbiage:
   Virginia Tech®
   Hokies®
   Virginia Tech Hokies®
   Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University®
2. Other trademarks that may be used:
   The Hokie Bird
   The University Shield
   The University Seal
   The Athletic VT
3. The University Seal and the University Shield have protected areas. No lines, words, or artwork may overlap or intersect these marks, and no changes are allowed in these designs.
   The following marks are not acceptable in referring to the university graphically or editorially:VPI, Va (or VA) Tech, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
4. The ® designation must be used in conjunction with all university marks.
5. The official Virginia Tech colors are maroon (PMS 208) and orange (PMS 165 or 158).
6. Virginia Tech marks may not be used in conjunction with other trademarks or registered marks without written permission from the owner of the mark. If you have questions on the status of a mark, please contact the Licensing Office for assistance in determining proprietary rights. (Example, using Virginia Tech with the Nike slogan "Just Do It," or using VT with UVA.)
   Virginia Tech marks may not be used in conjunction with references to alcohol or drugs. In addition, any use of university trademarks that is in poor taste is not allowed.
7. 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 membership at cost. Items bearing generic designs which are being sold as fund-raisers are subject to standard royalty rates. A determination on royalty rates will be made on a case by case basis by the Licensing Office.
8. University departments, colleges, organizations, and the vendor must obtain written permission by email or fax from the Licensing Office to use Virginia Tech marks. Examples of this include, but are not limited to: pens, notebooks, caps, shirts, jackets, glassware, pins, key rings, etc. The approval letter should be submitted to the vendor printing the item as approval for them to produce Virginia Tech marks and inform them of royalty requirements.
9. Only licensed vendors may produce items bearing university trademarks.
10. Students
    Approval Process for T-Shirts (and other commercial-type items)
    Designs must be submitted to LTA for written approval through a licensed vendor or e-mail the artwork.

 Department procedure for purchasing items bearing Virginia Tech trademarks

Speed Purchase Orders (SPO)

1. The design being purchased must be submitted to the LTA office for approval before the order is placed.
2. The name of the Vendor producing the order should be submitted to the Licensing and Trademark Administration office with the design. The vendor must be licensed with the University. If the vendor selected is not licensed, the Licensing Director will make a determination on whether or not the vendor may be used.
3. If the design is approved, an approval letter will be written allowing the vendor to produce the design and giving the vendor royalty information. A copy of this letter should be submitted to the vendor with the SPO.

American Express Purchases

1. The design being purchased must be submitted to the LTA office for approval before the order is placed.
2. The name of the vendor producing the order should be submitted to the Licensing and Trademark Administration office with the design. The vendor must be licensed with the University. If the vendor selected is not licensed, the Licensing Director will make a determination on whether or not the vendor may be used.
3. If the design is approved, an approval letter will be written allowing the vendor to produce the design and giving the vendor royalty information. A copy fo this letter should be submitted to the vendor with the order.

Requisition for Purchase

1. The design being purchased must be submitted to the LTA office for approval before the requisition is sent to Purchasing.
2. If the design is approved, an approval letter which references the requisition number will be written. A copy of the letter should be attached to the requisition package and submitted to Purchasing.
3. The vendor winning the bid must be licensed with the University or they must sign the one-time limited agreement which will be forwarded to them by Purchasing.

 

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