Licensing and Trademark Enforcement Program

Until now, there has been nothing to prevent anyone from selling merchandise using the Ithaca College name. To remedy that concern, and following best practices by other institutions, the College has instituted a trademark and licensing program.

Any vendor creating merchandise (apparel, bags, writing utensils, mugs, etc.) bearing any of Ithaca College's protected terms, whether they be for on-campus departments or organizations or for third party vendors to sell in stores, must be set up as an official licensee and go through an approval before placing the College’s protected names or artwork on any merchandise. This program is a critical component of our overall branding initiative as Ithaca College seeks to ensure the high quality and consistent standard of excellence for which it is known.

Licensed vendors producing merchandise for external organizations and businesses will be required to pay a royalty fee for the use of any of the College's protected terms or official artwork. Licensed vendors producing merchandise for use by internal departments, offices, and student groups will not be subject to royalty fees.

The College has partnered with an experienced firm, Strategic Marketing Affiliates, to assist in the management of the trademark and licensing program. SMA is responsible for processing license applications, coordinating artwork approvals, collecting royalty payments, and enforcing trademark laws.

For a quick snap shot of the program, visit the licensing-at-a-glance page.

For questions that are not answered in our FAQs, please contact Rachel Reuben, associate vice president for marketing communications, via e-mail at licensing@ithaca.edu.