Many different organizations and companies have logos that help them establish their
identity. Both state and federal law helps protect these trademarks from improper
use by others. Ferris State University currently has four federally licensed marks:
the Bulldog head, the signature line and name "Ferris State University," the Alumni
Association seal and the University seal.
The Use of Licensed Vendors
Any vendor who produces products bearing any of these protected trademarks must be
licensed to do so. The University has partnered with Licensing Resource Group to manage
the licensing of vendors who produce trademarked products. LRG ensures each company
has met the requirements for being licensed, such as carrying a sufficient amount
of liability insurance. A list of licensed vendors is available at www.lrgusa.com
The Approval Process
Licensed vendors submit the artwork for a proposed product through the LRG Web site.
This artwork is then approved, denied or approved with changes by Ferris' University
Advancement and Marketing department online via the LRG site. Most often, changes
are requested to ensure that the proper ® or ™ symbols, which indicate trademark protection,
appear with any trademarked logo. Royalties from the sale of commercial products are
remitted each quarter to the University.
Exemptions
Products that are not for resale (such as departmental clothing, give-aways, etc.)
or that are used as a fundraiser for a Registered Student Organization are usually
except from having to pay royalties. However, products that carry any of the Ferris
trademarks must still be submitted for approval through LRG and must be produced by
a licensed vendor.
Non-Approved Items
Ferris State University has identified a number of items that are not to be produced
using their trademarks. These include temporary tattoos, phone/debit/credit cards
and tobacco-related products. Also, trademarks are not to be used in conjunction with
messages that are derogatory or otherwise inappropriate.
Information available from: http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/administration/advance/licensing.htm
