{"id":263,"date":"2023-02-24T11:48:15","date_gmt":"2023-02-24T17:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademarks-licensing\/?page_id=263"},"modified":"2026-03-31T13:31:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T18:31:14","slug":"licensing-questions-answers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/licensing-questions-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"Licensing and Product Development FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion uwm-p-accordion--icon-left-circle\" data-accordion-prefix-classes=\"uwm\" data-accordion-cool-selectors=\"1\"><button class=\"uwm-p-accordion--toggle-button size-p-md\">Expand All<\/button>\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">What is 51ÁÔÆæ&#8217;s Office of Trademark Licensing?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>51ÁÔÆæ&#8217;s Office of Trademark Licensing focuses on growing business and forging partnerships to increase the reach of the university\u2019s creative and commercial brands. The office works with external partners on new creative concepts, retail entities on ways to create and grow business, and internal partners to maximize the reach and power of their promotional products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The office is also charged with protecting the logos, seals, names, symbols and slogans associated with the University. These are the exclusive property of 51ÁÔÆæ. Reproduction of these marks for resale, promotional or other commercial purposes must have university authorization. This protects against the manufacture, display or sale of merchandise without the university\u2019s consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>51ÁÔÆæ partners with CLC for the administration of its licensing and product development program. The University\u2019s Licensing and Product Development Program generates money for student scholarships, with over $100,000 in royalties directed to 51ÁÔÆæ annually.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">What are the requirements for using licensed vendors?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Any item bearing licensed intellectual property must be produced by a licensed vendor. This in\u00adcludes all products ordered by campus departments and student organizations. Failing to order from a licensed vendor is a violation of UW System policies on collegiate licensing. Any unlicensed vendor producing items is subject to civil and criminal penalties.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">What kind of logos, marks and references can we use on our merchandise?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The use of all licensed intellectual property must be approved by the Office of Licensing and Product Development. Advance approval of designs and usage is available by emailing<a href=\"mailto:kjoc@uwm.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Kevin O\u2019Connor<\/a>. Regardless of whether advanced approval is sought and granted, all licensed items are submitted to CLC for approval before production can begin. Most campus de\u00adpartments have access to using the full package of 51ÁÔÆæ marks and logos \u2013 student groups and other special entities have more restrictive policies. Use of a department-specific logo (athletics, alumni, etc) should receive advanced approval from that department as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One way to make your merchandise more unique to is creative unique designs for placement exclusively on merchandise. While logos and other official art can\u2019t be altered, there are many ways to create items that go beyond a standard logo. While the designs still must receive licensing approvals, creative designs typically make your merchandise more popular.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Are there restrictions on what colors can be used?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Products for promotional\/marketing purposes should generally be black, white, gray or gold (PMS 1235). The use of additional colors must be approved by the Office of Trademark Licensing. The use of Badger\/Cardinal Red (PMS 200), PMS Process Blue C or any shade of red or blue similar to those is not allowed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">What is 51ÁÔÆæ&#8217;s royalty rate and where does the money go?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>A 12 percent royalty on the wholesale price of all branded merchandise purchases will be paid by licensed vendors to the university. Licensed vendors often already include this royalty in their published pricing, while others may invoice it to customers as a line item. At 51ÁÔÆæ, these roy\u00adalties are directed to student scholarships. Royalty levels have grown by over 200 percent since 2016, and 51ÁÔÆæ and CLC typically collect over $125,000 in royalties annually.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">How should we handle ordering uniforms or staff work wear for our department?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Royalty exemptions are given for staff uniforms, team uniforms and other required work\/office apparel. All of these exemptions must be approved by the Office of Trademark Licensing. Ordering must still take place with a licensed vendor \u2013 even the vendors that provide uniforms to 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s custodial staff, police department, retail operations staff and other entities have gone through the licensing process. Uniform orders placed in cooperation with 51ÁÔÆæ&#8217;s Purchasing Office typically include a clause requiring the vendor to be licensed in order to win any bid process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Are additional exemptions available?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>A form is available to apply for an exemption to the use of a licensed vendor or the collection of royalties on merchandise purchased for internal use only. Exemptions are extremely limited, available mainly to student groups and\/or extremely specialized products and requests must include a clear justification.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">How much time should we typically allow for an order to be approved and fulfilled?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Ordering of branded merchandise of any kind requires the advanced approval of both CLC and 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Office of Trademark Licensing. The licensed vendor is responsible for securing this approval BEFORE fulfilling the order. Campus departments and organizations are welcome to contact the Office of Licensing and Product Development directly for input\/pre-authorization of their designs. While many vendors operate on a variety of timelines that vary by the product ordered, supply chain issues continue to extend the amount of lead time needed to fulfill any orders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">How does 51ÁÔÆæ enforce its trademark rights?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Unauthorized use of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee\u2019s licensed intellectual property is subject to civil and criminal penalties. 51ÁÔÆæ reserves the right to take appropriate action when confronted with unauthorized use of its trademarks. Such actions may include the confiscation of the goods, financial penalties, cease and desist orders and other legal action. 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s partnership with CLC helps to enhance the university\u2019s efforts in monitoring compliance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">How does 51ÁÔÆæ manage corporate social responsibility?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>51ÁÔÆæ is a member of the Fair Labor Association, demonstrating the university\u2019s commitment to conducting its business affairs in a socially responsible and ethical manner. A relationship with FLA helps 51ÁÔÆæ ensure products bearing its name and logos are manufactured in facilities that respect their workers and treats them well, meeting fair labor standards and upholding human rights. FLA produces written standards that licensees, and their suppliers, are required to maintain. 51ÁÔÆæ also partners with Sumerra for additional monitoring, while CLC works with licensees on all aspects of corporate social responsibility.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\"><div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-278\"><nav aria-label=\"Sidebar\" class=\"uwm-p-navigation-list uwm-p-navigation-list--gold-border \"><div class=\"uwm-p-navigation-list--title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/\">Resources<\/a><\/div><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/internal-use-contracted-and-officially-licensed-vendors\/\">Internal Campus Suppliers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/key-definitions\/\">Key Definitions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/ordering-purchasing-tips\/\">Ordering &amp; Purchasing Tips<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/licensing-royalties-exemption-form\/\">Licensing &amp; Royalties Exemption Form<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/name-image-and-likeness\/\">Name, Image and Likeness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/trademark-use-request\/\">Name, Image and Likeness Trademark Use Request Form<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/permission-for-individual-use\/\">Permission For Individual Use<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"current\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/trademark-licensing\/resources\/licensing-questions-answers\/\"><span aria-current=\"page\">Licensing Q &#038; A<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-252\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--gold uwm-u-mb-40 uwm-p-card--shadow\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\"><div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading size-h4\" id=\"contact\">Contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"uwm-u-mb-10\"><strong>Kevin O&#8217;Connor<\/strong><br>Office of Trademark Licensing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"uwm-c-list--contact uwm-c-list--cleanlist\">\n<li><i class=\"fa-solid fa-envelope fa-fw\"><\/i><a href=\"mailto:kjoc@uwm.edu\">kjoc@uwm.edu<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><i class=\"fa-solid fa-mobile-screen-button fa-fw\"><\/i><a href=\"tel:414-739-6598\">414-739-6598<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1287,"featured_media":0,"parent":325,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/centered.php","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"class_list":["post-263","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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