Trademark Licensing

Department Contact

1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
803-705-4519
Office Hours 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Benedict College’s Trademark Licensing Program works to promote, enhance and elevate the image of College by authorizing the use of the College’s name and logos.

What is a trademark?

As defined by the US Patents & Trademarks Office, “A Trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.” A Trademark do es not need to be registered in order to protect the rights to it, simply by using or displaying a mark acquires automatic trademark rights to the owner.

In order to use the College’s marks, a vendor must enter into a licensing agreement with the College. A license is a written legal agreement between the owner of the Trademark (Licensor) and a manufacturer/vendor. This license must be in place before use of the marks.

Royalties generated through the sales of collegiate merchandise go back to the colleges and universities for scholarship and university development opportunities. Therefore, it is important to stop the sale of unlicensed merchandise to protect the collegiate institutions involved and the integrity of the trademarks that has been established over time. If you think that you have come across a product in the marketplace that you believe is not licensed or any other infringing use of a college trademark or logo by any individual, company, or organization.

Use of the Benedict College trademarks must be consistent with the Benedict College style guide. Consistent use is important for the legal protection of the marks and to promote a consistent brand message. Only authorized licensed vendors may produce consumer products, including promotional items (giveaway items) that include college trademarks.

The college graphic identity standards must be followed as it relates to colleges, schools, institutes, centers, departments, offices, or other university organizations. Student organizations formally recognized by the Office of Student Affairs can use select college and athletic marks in conjunction with the organization name and design of promotional products. Club sports teams recognized by Benedict College Athletics are authorized to use select marks in conjunction with team names, uniform designs and the creation of promotional products.

  • Use of Benedict College and Athletic marks for merchandise and promotional items must be approved by the Office of Communication and Marketing.
  • Product restrictions: College marks are prohibited for use on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, sexually explicit graphics or descriptions and in conjunction with other third-party trademarks unless authorized by the Office of Communication and Marketing.
BECOMING LICENSED AT BENEDICT COLLEGE

Any person or company that wishes to produce items bearing the University’s name, images, likeness, or logos must be a licensed vendor through CORE81.

If you are interested in obtaining a BENEDICT COLLEGE license, you may access the CORE81 application at  
login.CORE81.com/.

If you are already licensed in CORE81 with another university, please submit a new request by going to License Management à Submit New Request –> Select Request Type –> New institution Request. Make sure to click the box “select trademark”.
Each CORE81 partner institution utilizes its decision-making process to determine how to grant licenses. If you want more information or have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact licensing@CORE81.com. Thank you for your interest in the BENEDICT COLLEGE licensing program.

ABOUT CORE81

Backed by 40 years of leadership in collegiate licensing and the aggregated approach of three legacy licensing agencies, now CLC, CORE81 empowers colleges and universities to efficiently navigate the hurdles of establishing or developing smaller trademark licensing programs. We set up the system, administer the licenses, and manage royalty collection so you can focus on effectively managing your brand and unlocking new revenue potential.

Small Program Expertise + Industry Leading Systems = CORE81

LOOK FOR THE LABEL

When you purchase a BENEDICT COLLEGE product bearing the “Collegiate Licensed Product” label, hang tag, or hologram, you are supporting the university.

The trademarks and logos that represent BENEDICT COLLEGE are the property of SCHOOL NAME. Like any property owner, the University wants to ensure that its property is protected. Using these trademarks without permission from the University is illegal.

The “Collegiate Licensed Product” label, hang tag, or hologram signifies that the University has granted the manufacturer the right to use its trademarks.

Benedict College requires that all individuals, organizations, departments and companies, both internal and external, obtain prior approval before using the College’s name and any of it’s branding.

The Trademark License Agreement requires that the licensees submit all proposed uses of the logos and word marks to the Office of Communication and Marketing. Additionally, all designs using the College’s marks must be submitted to the Office of Communication and Marketing for approval prior to production. When requesting permission, complete the Art Approval Request Form, indicating how the product will be used and provide the artwork/design.

What is a Trademark?

As defined by the US Patents & Trademarks Office, “A Trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.” A Trademark do es not need to be registered in order to protect the rights to it, simply by using or displaying a mark acquires automatic trademark rights to the owner.

In order to use the College’s marks, a vendor must enter into a licensing agreement with the College. A license is a written legal agreement between the owner of the Trademark (Licensor) and a manufacturer/vendor. This license must be in place before use of the marks.

Royalties & Infringement

Royalties generated through the sales of collegiate merchandise go back to the colleges and universities for scholarship and university development opportunities. Therefore, it is important to stop the sale of unlicensed merchandise to protect the collegiate institutions involved and the integrity of the trademarks that has been established over time. If you think that you have come across a product in the marketplace that you believe is not licensed or any other infringing use of a college trademark or logo by any individual, company, or organization.

General Guidelines

Use of the Benedict College trademarks must be consistent with the Benedict College style guide. Consistent use is important for the legal protection of the marks and to promote a consistent brand message. Only authorized licensed vendors may produce consumer products, including promotional items (giveaway items) that include college trademarks.

The college graphic identity standards must be followed as it relates to colleges, schools, institutes, centers, departments, offices, or other university organizations. Student organizations formally recognized by the Office of Student Affairs can use select college and athletic marks in conjunction with the organization name and design of promotional products. Club sports teams recognized by Benedict College Athletics are authorized to use select marks in conjunction with team names, uniform designs and the creation of promotional products.

Restrictions

  • Use of Benedict College and Athletic marks for merchandise and promotional items must be approved by the Office of Communication and Marketing.
  • Product restrictions: College marks are prohibited for use on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, sexually explicit graphics or descriptions and in conjunction with other third-party trademarks unless authorized by the Office of Communication and Marketing.

Tips for Purchasing Benedict College Merchandise

  • All officially licensed merchandise should display the officially licensed collegiate product hologram somewhere on the product or hangtag.
  • The merchandise should depict the Benedict College logos and marks in a tasteful and appropriate manner. If it is distasteful or inappropriate, the merchandise is unlikely to have been licensed by the College. 
  • The tag on the garment should be intact. A torn or missing tag is evidence of a second-hand garment, one that probably would not meet the stringent quality standards in place by the College.
  • All merchandise should bear the name of the manufacturer somewhere on the product, either in the form of a hangtag, a neck label, or screen-printed directly on the garment.
  • All merchandise should have the appropriate trademark designation (i.e., ®, TM) next to a specific name or design. Trademark infringement violates state and federal laws, including criminal laws.  Penalties vary depending on the extent of the violation but can include confiscation of the product and equipment used to make it, fines, and even jail time for more serious violation. Confiscated product is eventually destroyed or donated to charitable organizations.

Submit Art Approval Request

If you have your design ready and product and vendor selected, please submit your information to the Office of Communication and Marketing for review. 

About

Programs and Initiatives

News

Events and Workshops

Success Stories

Resources