MERCHANDISING AND LICENSING
The Stony Brook campus community participates in a licensing program that sets the guidelines for use of our logos and word marks on a variety of merchandise. The program is managed by the CLC/IMG College (CLC), an outside agency.
The overall purpose of the Stony Brook University Trademark Licensing Program is to protect the integrity of the institution’s trademarks and to ensure such trademarks are used in an appropriate manner. Stony Brook’s Trademark Licensing Program is administered by Stony Brook’s Office of Marketing and Communications. Stony Brook is a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA). All Stony Brook Trademark Licensing Program vendors are required to be FLA members and must adhere to the FLA Code of Conduct.
Prospective vendors are encouraged to visit CLC’s website for an application. The royalty rate is twelve percent of the wholesale price and is payable through CLC on all items including giveaways. Exemptions to the royalty are signage, awards and uniforms. However, use of licensed vendors is still required. Approved vendors in the trademark licensing program have access to our style guide for their product designs.
To comply with and assure protection under federal, state and international trademark laws, Stony Brook University is required to monitor and control all uses of its trademarks. Unauthorized use of Stony Brook trademarks is subject to civil and criminal penalties. Stony Brook reserves the right to take appropriate action when confronted with unauthorized use of its trademarks. Such actions may include confiscation of the goods, financial penalties and legal action.
If you have questions regarding the Trademark Licensing Program, please contact Jaime Woll at Jaime.Woll@stonybrook.edu.
Vendors
View a list of University licensed vendors.
Clubs and Organizations
The campus community clubs and organizations have several designs to choose from when creating their Stony Brook-branded logos. Visit the Stony Brook University Retail Style Guide for recommended options.
Fair Labor Association
As a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), Stony Brook University strives to do business with vendors who subscribe to moral and ethical principles in conducting their business. This includes issues relating to fair employment standards and workers’ rights. All Stony Brook trademark licensing vendors must abide by the FLA Code of Conduct.
Trademark Licensing Program FAQ
WHY DOES STONY BROOK HAVE A TRADEMARK LICENSING PROGRAM?
The overall purpose of the Stony Brook University Licensing Program is to protect
the integrity of the institution’s trademarks and to ensure such trademarks are used
in an appropriate manner on Stony Brook branded merchandise.
WHAT ARE STONY BROOK’S TRADEMARKS?
Stony Brook’s trademarks include, but are not limited to: the names Stony Brook University,
Stony Brook Medicine, and Stony Brook Children’s, as well as anything that includes
these words.The graphic trademarks include the shield, interlocking SB and Wolfie.
For further information or additional trademarks, download the Stony Brook University Retail Style Guide in PDF format.
WHY DOES STONY BROOK CARE WHO USES ITS TRADEMARKS OR HOW?
To comply with and assure protection under federal, state and international trademark
laws, Stony Brook is required to monitor and control all uses of its trademarks. Stony
Brook must control and monitor the use of its trademarks or risk losing its rights
to use them as unique Stony Brook identifiers.
WHICH TRADEMARK USES REQUIRE APPROVAL?
All uses of Stony Brook’s trademarks on logo branded merchandise require prior approval
from the Office of Communications and Marketing, even if the proposed uses do not
involve the sale of a product; e.g., promotional items for conferences or meetings,
items for fundraisers, items for giveaways, gifts, etc.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR USE OF TRADEMARKS?
Stony Brook’s trademarks may not be altered in any way. They may not be used in conjunction
with the name or trademark(s) of any other entity without prior written permission
of that entity. They may not be used in any manner that suggests or implies Stony
Brook’s endorsement of other organizations, companies, products, services, political
parties or view, or religious organizations or beliefs. They may not be used in any
way that discriminates or implies discrimination against any persons or groups.
ARE THERE INSTANCES WHEN A TRADEMARK OR DESIGN WILL NOT BE APPROVED?
Stony Brook will not approve the use of Stony Brook trademarks or designs in connection
with any art depicting or implying the use or endorsement of: alcohol, illegal drugs,
tobacco products, firearms or other weapons, racist, sexist, hateful, demeaning or
degrading language or statements, profanity, sexual acts, statements impugning other
universities, and art or a design incorporating trademarks or copyrights not owned
by Stony Brook, unless written permission for such satisfactory in form and substance
to Stony Brook is obtained from the trademark holder or copyright owner, and approved
in advance by the Office of Communications.
ARE THERE ANY PRODUCTS THAT WILL NOT BE APPROVED?
Stony Brook will not approve the use of Stony Brook’s trademarks in connection with
certain types of products. These include, but are not limited to: products that could
be used to injure or kill, alcohol-related products, tobacco-related products, illegal
drug-related products, sexually suggestive products or language, gambling-related
products, food and beverage products and accompanying packaging (other than for limited
internal consumption in connection with official Stony Brook events, approved in advance
by Stony Brook’s Office of Communications and Marketing), products that present an
unacceptable risk of liability and products that are harmful to the mission or image
of the institution.
DOES THE LICENSING PROGRAM SUPPORT FAIR LABOR PRACTICES?
Stony Brook is committed to conducting its business affairs in a socially responsible
and ethical manner. Stony Brook requires that all manufacturers of products bearing
Stony Brook’s trademarks strictly adhere to a Code of Conduct in the manufacture of
those products. Stony Brook prohibits products bearing its trademarks from being manufactured
in abusive and unfair labor conditions. Licensees are required to publicly disclose
the names and locations of all of their factories which manufacture products that
bear Stony Brook’s trademarks and are required to subject those factories to independent
monitoring of factory labor conditions through its affiliation with the Fair Labor Association.
WHY MUST STONY BROOK BRANDED MERCHANDISE BE PURCHASED FROM A LICENSED VENDOR?
To ensure consistency in the use of Stony Brook’s trademarks, and to ensure compliance
with a wide range of requirements associated with the manufacture and use of these
trademarks, products bearing Stony Brook’s trademarks may be purchased only from companies
that are officially licensed by Stony Brook to manufacture or distribute products
bearing its trademarks.
HOW DO I PURCHASE STONY BROOK BRANDED MERCHANDISE?
There are more than 100 companies officially licensed by Stony Brook to manufacture products that bear Stony Brook’s trademarks, from T-shirts to flash
drives.
WHAT IS THE ROYALTY RATE? ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS? WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The royalty rate is 12 percent and is payable through CLC on all items, including
giveaways. Exemptions to the royalty are signage, awards and uniforms. However, use
of licensed vendors is still required. The funds collected are used toward student
scholarships.
HOW DO I KNOW I’M GETTING THE BEST PRICE?
Our business partners in the licensing program are flexible and open to negotiation.
They will work within your budget. We recommend getting three bids on your order.
Evaluate on quality, price, shipping and delivery.
HOW DOES A VENDOR BECOME LICENSED?
To become licensed, a vendor must submit an application to Collegiate Licensing Company
(CLC). CLC serves as the University’s agent for the administration of license agreements.
To obtain an application packet or learn more about licensing, please contact CLC
at (770) 956-0520 or visit its website at clc.com.
CAN I GET APPROVAL FOR A ONE-TIME APPLICATION?
One-time use applications are granted through the Office of Communications and Marketing.
Approval to use a Stony Brook trademark for a one-time application only does not constitute
approval to use the trademark again, or in connection with any other item, or to change
the design in anyway, without seeking additional approval.
WHOM CAN I CONTACT AT THE UNIVERSITY WITH SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?
For further information or assistance, contact please contact Jaime Woll at Jaime.Woll@stonybrook.edu.
