Trademark and Licensing FAQ
1: What are the official school colors for Temple University?
2: What qualifies as a trademark, logo or symbol?
3: What are Temple’s trademarks?
4: Who must be licensed?
5: How can I obtain a licensing application?
6: How much does it cost to become licensed?
7: How long does it take to obtain approval from CLC?
8: Do I have to submit art for approval?
9: Why do I have to use a licensed vendor to print my student organization's t-shirts or promotional items?
10: Why do I need to be concerned with Temple’s trademarks when buying T-shirts, mugs, and other promotional items?
11: I have been using a non-licensed vendor for several years. Why should I stop?
12: What if I can’t find a licensed vendor offering an item I want to buy?
13: I want to have a graduation or wedding cake decorated with a Temple University logo. Do I need permission?
14: Why do the symbols ® and TM appear on products with the Temple name or logos?
15: How does Temple University ensure products are manufactured in an approved facility?
What are the official school colors for Temple University?
The official school colors are cherry red, yellow, metallic silver, silver, black and white. There are specific ink and thread color requirements for each that our licensees are aware of and have access to.
What qualifies as a trademark, logo or symbol?
Any mark, name, logo, symbol, nickname, abbreviation, word, mascot, slogan, insignia uniform or landmark associated with Temple University and distinguished from any other university, team or organization qualifies as a trademark, logo or symbol.
What are Temple’s trademarks?
A Temple trademark is any mark, logo, symbol, nickname, letter(s), word or derivative associated with Temple University and distinguished from those of other institutions or entities.
Temple has both graphical trademarks and verbiage registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The graphical trademarks are those commonly called “logos” and include the words TEMPLE, Temple University Owls; and logos such as the stylized Temple “T,” the Owl Head and the Owl Eyes, among others. Also trademarked are the official Temple University seal, which is for executive use only and requires pre-approval for exceptions.
Who must be licensed?
Any person, organization or business wishing to use Temple’s name, logos, marks, indicia or verbiage on any product, video, advertisements or for any other commercial purpose must have a license prior to production and distribution. This includes businesses that sell to university departments, campus organizations, and student organizations that use the product for fundraising and charity. Manufacturers of products bearing Temple marks are required to pay a royalty on the wholesale price of the product. Read more about the multiple forms of licenses available with Temple University.
Temple University trademark use in traditional news media is treated as news and is not subject to licensing fees.
How can I obtain a licensing application?
You can download an application for a license agreement directly from CLC. They also can be contacted at 770-956-0520 or emailed at [click-for-email]. Also see our Becoming Licensed page for additional information.
How much does it cost to become licensed?
Prospective licensees must pay an application fee ($100–$500 depending on the license) and an advance royalty payment between $250 and $500 when the agreement is signed. Temple receives a royalty fee based on the wholesale value of every product sold under the standard license, which is paid quarterly by the licensee. A yearly renewal fee also is required of those licensees who are renewed.
How long does it take to obtain approval from CLC?
A decision on any license request depends on the nature and extent of the use being applied for; the number of trademarks involved; the number and diversity of products for which the trademark or trademarks will be used; and other possible factors, such as whether the university believes there is a need to seek legal advice on the application. In most cases, an answer will be provided in 30 days or fewer.
Do I have to submit art for approval?
Yes, all art must always be submitted for approval. Student organizations or club sports, university departments, and intercollegiate athletics must submit artwork for approval, along with their licensed vendor information. Licensees submit artwork through Learfield’s platform, Trademarx.
Why do I have to use a licensed vendor to print my student organization’s T-shirts or promotional items?
All products, even those ordered by our student organizations, which bear Temple's trademarks must be purchased only from Temple licensees in order to ensure consistency in the use of Temple's trademarks and to ensure compliance with a wide range of requirements associated with the manufacture and use of Temple's trademarks. Permission is granted to student organizations to use trademarks from a licensed vendor after the organization has received prior approval from trademark licensing. Visit the Student, Faculty and Staff Guide to Buying Temple Products section for additional information.
Why do I need to be concerned with Temple’s trademarks when buying T-shirts, mugs and other promotional items?
In order to protect the Temple name and avoid liability issues, all items that feature Temple’s trademarks—from a pen decorated with the words “Go Owls” to a T-shirt that includes the name of a Temple student club—must be purchased from a company that is authorized to sell merchandise with the Temple name.
I have been using a nonlicensed vendor for several years. Why should I stop?
It is university policy that Temple-branded products be purchased from a licensed vendor. In addition, beside protecting the university from liability, a licensed vendor has access to Temple’s official logos, including intercollegiate athletics logos. Moreover, licensed vendors are more likely to be accustomed to working with Temple departments and student groups.
What if I can’t find a licensed vendor offering an item I want to buy?
Business Services can help you find an appropriate vendor. Contact Veronica Aymer at [click-for-email] or 215-204-0589 for assistance.
I want to have a graduation or wedding cake decorated with a Temple University logo. Do I need permission?
Yes. You can request permission to have a cake decorated by emailing Veronica Aymer at [click-for-email] with the name of the purchaser, the bakery and its address, and the recipient.
Why do the symbols ® and TM appear on products with the Temple name or logos?
The ® and TM signify trademark ownership. The TM symbol indicates that the word, symbol or design it is placed next to is a trademark. The ® symbol indicates that the trademark is federally registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These symbols signal the university’s ownership of its trademarks and assist the university in its trademark enforcement efforts.
How does Temple University ensure products are manufactured in an approved facility?
Temple University adopted a code of conduct designed to ensure that products bearing the marks of the university are produced under healthy, safe and fair working conditions. As a means of implementing the code and of ensuring, to the degree possible, compliance with the workplace standards that are part of that code, the university has affiliated with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). This code summarizes the requirements of the WRC Code of Conduct, which clearly details monitoring, enforcement and inspection requirements.
Contact Information
Business Services
Veronica Aymer, Director of Operations and Licensing
1700 N. Broad St., Suite 415
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-0589
[click-for-email]
CLC
Morgan Rogers, Senior Manager, Partnerships
CLC
1075 Peachtree St., Suite 3300
Atlanta, GA 30309
609-947-5240
[click-for-email]