In response to requests from students, alumni, retail outlets and vendors, Oakland University has entered into an agreement with the Licensing Resource Group (LRG) to allow authorized OU merchandise to be sold in outlets off campus. The program, which also covers the production of OU items for university promotional purposes, includes athletics and non-athletics marks and the university name. LRG manages processes with vendors and retail outlets, and the university receives royalty payments.


Why a licensing program?
The main purpose of Oakland’s licensing program is to allow authorized OU merchandise to be sold in outlets off campus, but it also covers the production of OU items for university promotional purposes.

Equally important, the new program promotes and protects the university’s name and marks, and hopefully provide a source of revenue from those who seek to use the university’s goodwill to add value to their products or services.

Use of the university’s name or other marks for commercial purposes without obtaining a license or prior written authorization constitutes a trademark infringement, which is prohibited by state and federal law.


Who it affects
Any vendor who produces OU-related merchandise for sale will need to apply for and be granted a Trademark Licensing Agreement and is subject to the payment of royalties. For more information about applying to become a licensed vendor, visit the LRG Web site and click on "Licensing."

Departments and OU organizations that wish to produce OU giveaways also will be required to follow the OU licensing program process and policies, primarily to ensure quality control and brand integrity.

Products purchased for resale, even if the goods are to be resold at cost, are not exempt from the royalty fee payment regardless of whether the seller is a manufacturer, distributor, or on-campus department or student organization. Exceptions from royalty payments may be made under certain circumstances, however, approval must be obtained from the OU Licensing Office.

Who to contact
OU’s Communications and Marketing department operates the university’s Licensing Office and associated activity.

Those interested in producing merchandise for giveaway or sale can browse and select a vendor from the approved vendor list. If you are an approved vendor and would like more of your products to show up on this list, you may send a general assortment of products to LRG that would give an overview of what you offer. LRG will then add your products to the list.
 
If you have questions about the process of ordering OU-trademarked items, please contact: