About Trademarks and Licensing

The Trademarks and Licensing program exists to protect the name and marks of The University of Montana and to enhance the image of the University by authorizing the use of the marks on high quality and tasteful merchandise only.  It is also the responsibility of the office to insure that the University receives the appropriate commercial value for the use of its trademarks and to actively enforce the unauthorized use of marks/name and logos of the University.

To help maintain a consistent and positive image of The University of Montana, it is required that all individuals, organizations, departments and companies, both internal and external, obtain prior approval from the Trademarks and Licensing Director before producing any product(s) that will display UM Indicia; regardless of the method of distribution.

The Trademarks and Licensing program is currently administered under the Office of the Executive Vice President, Jim Foley, and ran by the Trademarks and Licensing Director, Erika Beede.

Through a partnership with the Collegiate Licensing Company since 1987, Trademarks and Licensing monitors the commercial and internal use of UM indicia, and is responsible for managing more than 275 licensees producing products bearing UM's indicia.  UM's first royalty check was $9.14! UM was the first school to sign a 10-year agreement with CLC, and recently signed their second 10-year agreement through 2018.  (Press Release)

The Royalties earned on UM merchandise go towards student sponsorships for both academic and athletic achievements and special projects.

About CLC

CLC is the nation's leading collegiate licensing and marketing representative. Formed in 1981, CLC assists collegiate licensors in protecting and controlling the use of their logos through trademark licensing.

The CLC Consortium consists of more than 180 universities, bowl games, conferences, the NCAA and the Heisman Trophy. Based in Atlanta, CLC provides its member institutions the expertise, resources and experience necessary to maximize licensing revenue potential through the power of consolidation.

Licensing Agreements

There are several types of licensing agreements. The following agreements are administered by The Collegiate Licensing Company. The Trademarks and Licensing Director and The Collegiate Licensing Company will aid potential licensees in securing the proper agreement and forms. Types of agreements include:

• Local
  For local companies and/or individuals within the state of Montana.
• Standard
  For production of emblematic merchandise to be sold by an individual or company at retail.
• Restricted
  License is for internal suppliers; products sold to the institution for internal consumption only and cannot be resold by restricted licensees

License terms are reviewed and determined by the Trademarks and Licensing Director and is for 1 - 3 years. It grants the non-exclusive right to use the licensed marks in connection with products of quality acceptable by The Office of the Executive Vice President.

General Information about Trademarks
A trademark or service mark may be a word, name, symbol, or any combination thereof that is used by its owner to identify or distinguish goods or services from those of others. Rights in trademarks and service marks arise as a result of use of the mark in commerce to identify the source or origin of goods and services. In addition, a trademark remains the property of the owner so long as the owner continues to use it properly as a trademark.

For more information about Trademarks and Licensing or to request use of a UM trademark contact:

Erika Beede
Director of Trademarks and Licensing
406-243-2317
Erika.beede@umontana.edu

The Collegiate Licensing Company
770-956-0520
www.clc.com