The UNLV Licensing Program
UNLV has established a licensing program to protect, promote, and enhance the image and brand of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The UNLV Licensing Program ensures the control and proper presentation of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas brand and protects the appropriate use of those trademarks, service marks, logos, and insignias that have come to be associated with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Revenues generated through the UNLV Licensing Program are used to support and enhance the quality of life for students, faculty, and staff across our campus.
The UNLV Licensing Program continually works to ensure fair business practices through education, enforcement, and promotional efforts. To expand the program and ensure its growth, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has partnered with a licensing agent to serve as its exclusive trademark licensing representative.
The UNLV licensing program helps to ensure the UNLV brand identity is properly represented on products and services marketed to the public. The licensing program is responsible for determining if a product and design are consistent with the goals and image of the university and to ensure that the quality, liability, production, and other distribution of products meets the university’s standards.
Commercial Use
Any non-university persons or entities, university departments, students, employees or registered student organizations that want to use the university marks in connection with the commercial sale or resale of goods or services must obtain products from a university-licensed vendor or themselves be licensed before offering products for sale. Advance approval from the university is required whether the commercial use will be ongoing or associated with a one-time event, such as using a mark on a poster announcing an event or an item to be sold as a fundraiser.
Any manufacturer interested in producing products bearing the marks of UNLV must follow these steps to become licensed:
- Contact the licensing agent. Complete and submit the application to the licensing agent for approval.
- Submit all products to the licensing agent for review and approval.
- Forward administration fee and applicable royalty advances to the licensing agent.
- Sign and return a Standard Licensing Agreement issued by the licensing agent .
- Maintain a current certificate of product liability insurance.
- Submit all final artwork to the university for approval prior to production.
Non-commercial Use that Requires University Approval
All proposed modifications of university marks require prior university approval. All uses of university marks by non-university commercial entities require prior approval even if the proposed uses do not involve the sale of a product; e.g., exhortatory announcements in newspapers or athletics programs.
- Community Groups: Groups or persons outside the university community must submit the request via email to karl.feak@unlv.edu for approval for noncommercial uses of university marks.
- Student Organizations: Registered student organizations must submit the request – via email to karl.feak@unlv.edu – for approval. Student organizations registered with the Office of Student Affairs will generally be granted limited approval for appropriate non-commercial uses of university marks as long as the marks are not modified and are used in accordance with university guidelines. Student organizations are required to use officially licensed vendors for products of approved products. Requests to modify a university mark will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Student-Athletes: Any and all uses of the name and/or images of university student athletes must comply with NCAA rules. Questions should be directed to the Compliance Office in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at 702-895-0656.
- Private Groups or Businesses: University logos cannot be used to endorse or promote a private group or business unless authorized by a formal contract or sponsorship agreement. Private companies are allowed to use university logos only after entering into a promotion specific agreement with the university or a licensing agent. For more information on commercial partnerships contact UNLV a licensing agent.
Non-commercial Use that Does Not Require University Approval
Most uses of university marks by university-affiliated departments and groups do not require prior approval, including:
- University Departments: The use of university marks by university departments in the ordinary course of conducting university business provided they make no changes to university marks. Examples include the use of unmodified university marks on signs, flags, uniforms, official university websites, official university catalogs, publications, reports and similar materials, course materials used in University courses, and on stationery and business cards by university departments as directed in this website.
- News Reporting and Fair Use: Use of the name of the university or university marks in connection with news reporting and other fair uses that do not undermine the university’s rights in its marks.
Restrictions
No merchandise or use of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas logos and trademarks will be approved when used in conjunction with or making reference to:
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Alcohol, alcohol consumption and/or abuse
- Tobacco products and usage
- Sexual conduct, imagery, or inferences
- Profanity or inappropriate insensitive language
- Gambling
- Firearms and weapons
- Political and religious endorsements
- Any other merchandise or use of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas logos and trademarks judged by the UNLV Licensing Program to be inappropriate, unacceptable, or inconsistent with standard licensing practices of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.