Licensing & Trademarks: FAQs

What is licensing?
Licensing is necessary when a third party desires to associate themselves commercially with the Georgia Institute of Technology by using any trademark, trade name, logo, symbol, seal, mascot, or slogan that is associated with or refers to the Institution.

Why is licensing necessary?
To promote and protect the School's image, and comply with Federal trademark laws, Georgia Tech must approve any use of its trademarks. Licensing protects the Institute's reputation, good name, and image by permitting only appropriate uses and assuring that only quality products bear the Institution's name, initials, or logos. Licensing also generates income to support the operational goals of the Licensing Program and enhance the quality of life for students, student athletes, faculty, and staff.

Where do licensing revenues go?
Annual licensing revenue is generated from royalties on product sales and marketing fees, the Alumni Association affinity card, and other Institute promotional fees. All licensing revenue is deposited into a Georgia Tech Foundation account called The Buzz Fund. All operating expenses of the trademark program are paid from the Buzz Fund.

The Buzz Fund also provides annual distributions to the three licensing revenue-generating units on campus: the Alumni Association, Athletic Association and Auxiliary Services. The units may use their allocations for student scholarships, internships, student development, and special programs that support the strategic initiatives of the Institute. Those initiatives include a student-focused education, diversity, globalization, and traditions and school spirit.

Who needs to be licensed?
A license must be obtained by anyone who uses the name or marks of the Georgia Institute of Technology for a commercial purpose. Non-commercial uses of Georgia Tech trademarks may not require a license but do require permission. The use of a Georgia Tech mark in advertisements, motion pictures, and on promotional items also requires a licensing fee.

Are there any exemptions?
Licensed products used for internal Georgia Tech consumption or internal give-aways are not subject to a royalty fee. The products, however, may be subject to license agreements or should be purchased from existing licensed vendors. All items sold on campus to external buyers (including alumni) must be licensed and are subject to royalties.

How do I become licensed with Georgia Tech?
Please review the About Licensing section.

How does a customer tell if merchandise is licensed?
The "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" label should appear on all approved and licensed merchandise. This label is for approved and authorized use only and signifies that the merchandise on which it is attached has been approved for sale by the Collegiate Licensing Company and its client universities. The unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this label is prohibited.

With this label, alumni, students, fans, and supporters know they are buying a product of quality and authenticity that represents the goodwill of Georgia Tech. The label is your assurance that merchandise has been approved by the Institution and that royalties from your purchase will benefit the Institute.

Any merchandise not bearing these labels for institutions represented by the Collegiate Licensing Company, but using the marks of that institution, may represent an infringement of trademark laws, punishable by law.

How does Georgia Tech respond to trademark infringement?
Georgia Tech aggressively pursues infringers through legal channels, including, but not restricted to, letters of "Cease and Desist" and lawsuits. Suspected trademark infringement should be reported immediately to the Licensing and Trademark Management Program in Communications & Marketing. Please include the URL if the image has been used on the Internet.