{"id":4947,"date":"2019-11-07T14:45:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-07T19:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/can-i-sell-items-with-college-logos.html"},"modified":"2024-05-22T02:20:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T07:20:02","slug":"can-i-sell-items-with-college-logos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/can-i-sell-items-with-college-logos.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sell Items With College Logos?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sell Items With College Logos?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The demand for college athletic attire and accessories is high for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Most universities have a copyrighted and trademarked logo or name. This protects them legally against others selling items with their name or logo.<\/p>\r\n

While it may seem like a great idea to sell products with college or university logos, and they might sell like hotcakes, chances are this would only be legal with licenses from the schools you plan to promote.<\/p>\r\n

This FindLaw article will discuss the copyrights<\/a> and trademark<\/a> rights concerns of selling items with college logos.<\/p>\r\n

The Value of a College Logo<\/h2>\r\n

If you close your eyes right now, you can probably picture the logo of the college you attended or your favorite college sports team. That’s because colleges and universities do a great job marketing their brands. They want you to see their logo and know the school.<\/p>\r\n

At the same time, they want their logos seen and used with their permission. That’s where trademark and copyright issues come into play.<\/p>\r\n

When School Logos Are Intellectual Property<\/h2>\r\n

School logos, mascots, taglines, and other branding devices are often intellectual property<\/a>. Trademarks and copyrights protect these items, which protect the school’s brand.<\/p>\r\n

What Is a Trademark?<\/h3>\r\n

A trademark is a form of intellectual property that protects:<\/p>\r\n