Retail & Trademark Licensing
Licensed Vendor List
The Licensing and Trademarks Office, housed in UCM Athletics, manages the University of Central Missouri's retail and trademark licensing programs. If you're interested in producing or retailing merchandise with official UCM logos or word marks (see examples below), the first step is to become a licensed vendor through our program's administrator, CLC (Collegiate Licensing Company).
For further information, please call Tim Pinkston, UCM Licensing and Trademarks, at 660-543-4029, or email him at pinkston@ucmo.edu.
Why Establish a Trademark Licensing Program?
A trademark licensing program is established to protect and promote trademarks in a positive manner. All official logos and word marks of the University of Central Missouri are protected under this program. Though protecting the integrity of the university's trademarks is an important part of this program, so are outreach, education and promotion. Creating and maintaining positive relationships with manufacturers and retailers is an integral part of the program's overall success, and helps to ensure that products bearing the marks of the university are of the highest quality and help to satisfy consumer demand.
What Do Licensing Program Revenues Support?
Licensed manufacturers must pay a royalty to the university on any product bearing the trademarks of UCM. These revenues help to support the mission of the university.
What Qualifies as a Trademark?
Any logo, word mark, nickname, series of letters or acronyms associated with the University of Central Missouri distinguishable from those of other universities, teams, mascots or organizations are protected under UCM's trademark licensing program.
UCM trademarks include any graphic representation, symbol, drawing, official university seals, words or series of words and acronyms that have come to be associated with the university, its programs, or intercollegiate athletic teams. These marks would include, but not be limited to designs that incorporate the following:
University of Central Missouri
Central Missouri
UCM
CM
C
The Official Seal of the University of Central Missouri
Mule, or Mules
Jennie, Jenny, Jennies or Jens
Mo (when referring to the university mascot, Mo the Mule)
*Any designs which may cause confusion in the mind of the public are a direct infringement upon University of Central Missouri trademark rights.
Existing University of Central Missouri trademarked logos may not be altered (although occasional adjustments in colors, etc., may be allowed, but only with prior university approval). UCM word marks may be developed in a variety of fonts and colors, as long as they are not likely to be confused with existing trademarked logos. For up-to-date graphics please contact Integrated Marketing and Communications at 660-543-4640 or Licensing and Trademarks at 660-543-4029.
Who Needs to Carry a License With UCM ?
Manufacturers, producers and any other entity that plans to use the trademarks of the university for any reason must complete the licensing process and secure a license agreement prior to producing and selling emblematic merchandise. Any manufacturer wishing to use UCM’s marks on its products must be properly licensed to do so. CLC is UCM's authorized agent for trademark licensing purposes, and is authorized to license manufacturers meeting the university's qualifications. The University of Central Missouri will not issue licenses directly.
What Products Can Be Licensed?
The University of Central Missouri reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to approve or not approve the use of its marks on any product. UCM shall approve each use of its marks on a per-product, per-design basis. Licensees must submit each product or design to CLC for approval by UCM.
The University of Central Missouri will not approve the use of its marks on the following products:
Alcohol
Tobacco
Controlled Substances
Religious products or designs
Sexually oriented products or designs
Political products or designs
Games of chance
Appliqués, patches, or heat transfers for retail sales
In addition, UCM will not approve the use of its name or marks in text or graphics which are judged to be sexually suggestive, denigrate any groups, including another college or university, or infringe on the rights of other trademark owners. UCM will not approve products which do not meet minimum standards of quality and/or good taste or are judged to be dangerous and/or carry high product liability risks.
Designs must be of high quality and appropriately portray the image of the university. Designs that contain vulgar, inappropriate, or insensitive language or imagery, profanity, or words or imagery with inappropriate double meanings will not be approved.
UCM will not approve the use of its marks on any product or design which in UCM's sole judgment may violate NCAA rules. This applies to product designs incorporating:
Jersey numbers, except on authentic or replica merchandise
Photos or any other likeness of a student athlete
Names of student athletes
Nicknames of student athletes
The University of Central Missouri will approve products or designs incorporating only current marks. Marks which are obsolete or replaced by updated marks will continue to be protected by UCM but will not be approved for use in new products or designs; designs that are designed to market a “retro” program may be approved on a case-by-case basis, but only when a part of a university-approved program.
The University of Central Missouri reserves the right to consider and approve any product or product category for license; however, no product will be licensed without the approval of the licensing program. This helps to ensure that products bearing UCM's trademarks are of the highest quality and represent the university in a positive manner. Additionally, proactive review helps to identify products that may not be appropriate for UCM's trademarks, may be hazardous, or present a liability concern.
UCM Retailers Program
This program was established to create a stronger working relationship with local merchants who wish to display and sell UCM merchandise and apparel. Distributing, brokering, or retailing of licensed goods does not require a license, nor will licenses be issued for such purposes. However, any such product sold must have been produced by a licensed vendor.
Businesses who desire to be a retailer or distributor of UCM licensed goods are encouraged to become a member of the UCM Retailers program; frequent advertising by the university lists local retailers that offer items bearing UCM logos or marks.
Alumni, Friends, Faculty, Staff, Students, Supporters Purchases
Online lists of licensed vendors are available, and are updated monthly; this may be found at UCMathletics.com/licensedvendors. You may purchase items from any vendor on these lists. The university and CLC will conduct periodic checks to ensure retailers are compliant with our licensing requirements.
Who's Responsible For the UCM Licensing Program?
For more information on the licensing program please contact:
Tim Pinkston, Licensing and Trademarks
University of Central Missouri
Multipurpose Building 300
Warrensburg MO 64093
Phone: 660-543-4029
Email: pinkston@ucmo.edu
How Can a License Be Obtained?
The University of Central Missouri works closely with CLC in the administration of its Trademarks and Licensing program. If you would like to have an item produced, a licensed vendor must be used; a listing of UCM’s licensed vendors is available online at UCMathletics.com/licensedvendors. If you want to use a vendor who is not listed, that vendor must become licensed prior to production. To obtain an application packet or to learn more about licensing and royalty information, please contact UCM's trademark management company:
Collegiate Licensing Company
1075 Peachtree Street, Suite 3300
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 707-956-0520
Email: applications@clc.com
Website: www.clc.com
Look for the Label!
Each time that fans, alumni and supporters purchase an officially licensed UCM product, the manufacturer returns a portion of that sale to the university as a royalty. The Collegiate Licensed Product Label is the consumer's assurance that the products they purchase are as authentic as their support of the Mules and Jennies.
No licensee will be exempt from paying royalty fees, and no exemptions will be provided.
For More Information
For additional information concerning the university's graphic identity program, or for help in determining appropriate uses for the university logos and marks and to explore receiving permission to do so, contact:
Tim Pinkston, Licensing and Trademarks
University of Central Missouri
Multipurpose Building 300
Warrensburg MO 64093
Phone: 660-543-4029
pinkston@ucmo/edu
