Campus Use Information

Reproduction of the University's trademarks for resale or other commercial purposes, must have authorization from University Licensing Programs.

What is Commercial Use?
Items for resale: Selling products (such as hats, T-shirts, posters, to name a few) bearing University trademarks, for all of the following purposes constitutes commercial use:

- Sales to campus and private retailers
- Sales to individual customers
- Sales at MSU sports events through concessions
- Sales on campus by student groups with vending permits
- Sales for fund-raising projects

Promotional use: Items which bear the trademarks of the University and those of a commercial business, such as a restaurant, which are either sold or given away are promotional and, thus are commercial.

What Activities are Exempt from Licensing Royalties?

In-house use of trademarks: Campus Units such as Registered Student Organizations (as defined in SPARTAN LIFE), student sports teams, residence hall organizations and University Departments may use the trademarks of the University for internal purposes such as on stationery, posters, signs and premiums dealing with the on-campus activities of the Unit, provided such use includes an identification of the sponsoring Unit, reflects positively on the University, and complies with the University's graphic standards.

Sales restricted to campus events: Official student organizations and University departments may sell or give away products (such as T-shirts) bearing the marks of MSU combined with the names and logos of their organization or activity if such merchandise relates directly to an on-campus activity sponsored by that organization or department. These items must be unique and not compete with products and artwork available in the retail market. Further, the organization's name or event must be prominent.

What Do You Need to Do?
If you are planning a project on campus that includes featuring trademarks of the University either on your promotional materials or a product/premium, please submit a Licensing Waiver Form (get form from link below) to the University Licensing Programs office for approval. Items planned for any commercial use, as described above, must be purchased from a vendor licensed with the University. Any exceptions must be preapproved by the University Licensing Programs office in advance of any productions. For a qualified vendor list, advice on your project, or any other information, contact University Licensing Programs at 355.3434 or via e-mail to: licensing@union.msu.edu.

Licensing Waiver Form
(Form is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat.)

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, please click on this link.