Trademark Usage and Licensing

Departmental and student licensing information guidelines

University departments, colleges, organizations, and vendors must obtain written permission from Licensing to use Virginia Tech marks on any products. This includes, but is not limited to, pens, notebooks, caps, shirts, jackets, glassware, pins, and key rings. Licensing will submit an approval letter to the vendor printing the item. The letter will serve as the university’s approval to produce Virginia Tech marks and will inform the vendor of royalty requirements. Only licensed vendors may produce items bearing university trademarks for resale.

The university has registered the following marks:

• Virginia Tech®
• Hokies®
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University®
• Invent the Future®

   

The trademarked HokieBird® and 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.

Most, but not all, uses of these marks must bear the ® registered mark. Licensing must state in its approval of each use of the mark whether the ® for registered mark or the ™ trademark symbol should be used.

The university also uses the following marks, which must always bear the ™ trademark symbol:

   

The following marks are not acceptable in referring to the university, either graphically or editorially:

• VPI
• Va (or VA) Tech
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute
• Virginia Tech University

Virginia Tech marks may not be used in conjunction with other trademarks or registered marks without written permission from the owner of the mark.

Using the university seal in non-university publications is prohibited without prior approval from University Relations. Virginia Tech reserves the right to reject delivery of materials containing unauthorized or incorrect usage based on the guidelines in this guide.

Licensing 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.

The official Virginia Tech colors are maroon (PMS 208) and orange (PMS 158).

Questions about the status of a mark for use with products meant for resale should be referred to Licensing. All other questions about use of university marks should be directed to branding@vt.edu or 540-231-3899.

Students and Departments

Students wanting to produce T-shirts and other commercial-type items must submit designs to Licensing for written approval through a licensed vendor or must email the artwork to Licensing.

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 Licensing for approval before the order is placed (or requisition sent to Purchasing).

The name of the vendor producing the order should be submitted to Licensing with the design.

The vendor must be licensed with the university or must sign a one-time limited agreement. If the vendor selected is not licensed, the licensing director will determine whether the vendor may be used.

If the design is approved, Licensing will write an approval allowing the vendor to produce the design and giving the vendor royalty information including whether or not royalties are waived. A copy of the approval should be attached to the requisition package and submitted to Purchasing with the HokieMart order.

Royalties are usually waived for items produced exclusively for a university affiliated 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 Registered Student Organizations (RSO) are usually not subject to standard royalty rates. The designs must be submitted for approval by Licensing, who will determine on a case-by-case basis whether royalties apply.

Becoming a Licensee

Licensing protects and controls the use of Virginia Tech’s name, nicknames, and other identifying marks for purposes of resale. Companies and individuals wishing to use these marks are required to enter into a nonexclusive trademark license agreement with the university. The process consists of four phases:

Phase I: The application is completed by the prospective licensee and returned with a $50.00 administrative fee, generic samples of the products to be licensed, and product specification sheets of each item. The application will be reviewed, and if approved, the applicant enters Phase II. If the application is disapproved, samples will be returned.

Phase II: A nonexclusive licensing agreement is forwarded to the applicant. The applicant then signs the agreement and returns it to Virginia Tech with a $250.00 advance royalty guarantee and a certificate of insurance that meets all requirements listed in section 13.1 of the contract.

Phase III: A fully executed copy of the agreement is returned to the applicant. The applicant also receives artwork, product specification forms, and labeling information.

Phase IV: The applicant creates and submits Virginia Tech artwork. After artwork is approved, final Virginia Tech samples need to be submitted. Once approved, the applicant is fully licensed.

All contracts for Virginia Tech are renewed on July 1 of each year regardless of the date a licensee becomes licensed.

All contracts for Virginia Tech are renewed on July 1 of each year regardless of the date you became licensed.

Virginia Tech requires the ® designation with all trademarks (except for Hokie Tracks™, Baby HokieBird™, and VT helmet, which require the ™ designation) and a royalty percentage. All designs must be approved by the Office of Licensing & Trademarks Administration before manufacture or distribution. The licensing agreement details all requirements for licensees and should be read carefully upon receipt.

A licensing application is available in pdf format at www.branding.unirel.vt.edu/licensing/ by clicking on Licensing Application. The complete application and $50.00 application fee and samples of products to be licensed should be mailed to:

Virginia Tech Licensing Office
Southgate Drive (0161)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

For additional information about Virginia Tech’s licensing program, contact licensing@vt.edu or 540-231-3748.