Vanderbilt University
®
Office of Trademark Licensing

General Guidelines for Use | Unacceptable Products and Services | Royalty Rate | University Use | Other Logo Uses


General Guidelines for Use

Vanderbilt University marks should be used within the following guidelines:
  • The logos should not be altered in any fashion
  • The logos should have the proper trademark symbols
  • When referring to the University on products and services, please use the following wordmarks: Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Commodores, and Commodores. The University does not encourage the use of "Vandy"
  • The logos should not be used in association with a private business or used in a manner that might associate or imply endorsements by the University with an outside business or product without proper authorization from the University
  • Employees may not use the University's names or its logos in any manner, which suggest or imply University support or endorsement of any movement, a candidate for public office, or an activity or program not officially sponsored by the University.

Unacceptable Products/Services

  • Vanderbilt University will not approve the use of its name or marks to promote the following products: tobacco, controlled substances, sexually oriented products, alcohol, religious products, bathroom articles, or games of chance.
  • The University will not approve the use of its name or marks with: text or graphics that are judged to be sexually suggestive, denigrating language by any group including another college or university, items that infringe on the marks of other trademark owners on products or services, or endorsement of political candidates.
  • The University will not license products that: do not meet minimum standards of quality and/or taste, are judged to be dangerous or carry high product liability risks

Royalty Rate

The University's royalty rate is 8%. Licensed vendors are required to apply this rate on products that are sold in retail. Royalties received by the trademark licensing program, less expenses and operating costs, are distributed to the University's general scholarship program and to the University's athletic program.

In determining exemptions from royalty payment, consideration is given to the purpose of the trademark licensing program and the community it serves. Given these criteria, the University is not required to pay itself for purchases of services or products it makes for its own use to fulfill the educational mission of the University.

Examples of items exempt from royalties include:

  • Goods and services purchased by University departments for use within the institution (i.e., pens, official university letterhead, business cards).
  • Goods purchased by the University community for internal consumption (i.e., athletic uniforms, sorority/fraternity t-shirts, staff t-shirts, recognition pins and plagues, calendars and schedules of events, containers, napkins, photographs, and works of art).
  • Goods manufactured or purchased by the University to promote the University and its programs (i.e., student recruitment materials, fund-raising items, advertisement of University programs, notices of special events, and graduations announcements).

University Use

University departments, schools and organization who would like to use Vanderbilt University's marks on apparel (e.g., t-shirts, polos, hats) and gift items (e.g., mugs, key chains), must use vendors licensed by Vanderbilt University through our licensing agent - Licensing Resource Group (LRG) or the Office of Trademark Licensing. (local licensed vendor list).


Please complete the following steps when using Vanderbilt University marks on apparel and gift items:

  • Use a Licensed Vendor.
  • Obtain Official University Logos or Marks.
    Whenever using Vanderbilt marks, contact the Office of Trademark Licensing for official University logos and word marks.
  • Submit the Design for Approval.
    All designs created with Vanderbilt marks must be forwarded to and approved by the Office of Trademark Licensing before vendor manufacturing can begin. Upon approval, the Trademark Licensing office will forward the design to the chosen licensed vendor.

    Items manufactured for internal use (e.g., fund raising events, parties, rush t-shirts), are exempt from royalties.

Other Logo Uses
Web Use
Vanderbilt logos used on official University Web sites such as University departments, approved student groups, and schools, are permitted as long as the logos are used correctly. All University requests for the use of the official University logo should be made to Beth Fox, Manager of Web Communications at beth.fox@vanderbilt.edu. Web sites not affiliated with the University require authorization from the Office of Trademark Licensing.

Print Use
When University marks are used in publications (e.g., brochures, pamphlets, newsletters), which are distributed on or off campus, designs will need to be approved by the Office of Creative Services. Please send your requests to Judy Orr, Director of Creative Services at judy.orr@vanderbilt.edu.


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Vanderbilt University, 2201 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37235 Phone: (615) 322-7311
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