li·cense
1 : to issue, to permit or to give permission or consent to (transitive verb)
2 : permission to act, freedom of action (noun)
trade·mark
1 : a distinguishing characteristic or feature firmly associated with a person or thing (noun)
What Is A Trademark Licensing Program?
All Colorado College marks, logos, and names have been trademarked with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They are the legal property of the College. Only approved and appropriate use is permitted. Other than the College, numerous external entities have been granted permission to use the College's marks, logos, and words. These external entities are called licensees.
Why Have A Trademark Licensing Program?
A trademark licensing program gives Colorado College control over its logos and marks, thus ensuring the quality and consistency of all of the College's merchandise and imagery. It also enables the College to generate revenue from the sale of items bearing its logos and marks, and creates a cooperative and positive working relationship with the manufacturers and retailers who work with Colorado College.
What Qualifies As A Trademark?
Any mark, logo, symbol, words, or combination of these that can be associated with the College qualifies as a trademark. Colorado College has trademarked all forms of the "Interlocking C's" logo, the Athletics Tiger logo, the Presidential Seal, the words Colorado College (when used together, not Colorado and College individually), and the wordmark CC.
Who Gets To Use The Trademarks?
All use requires authorization and permission. Licensees are granted access and permission through Colorado College and its licensing agency, the Licensing Resource Group. Internal (Colorado College) groups must get authorization and approval from the Department of Communications and/or the Department of Athletics. This includes usage on websites, merchandise, uniforms, brochures - anywhere and everywhere the College's imagery appears. Failure to obtain a license or approval is grounds for the seizure of the non-approved items bearing the College's marks, and could also result in jail time and numerous fines if convicted.
Call Jessica Bennett at (719) 389-6336 with any questions.
