Trademarking Policy
Trademarking for Student Organization Apparel
All apparel that will be purchased for a stude nt organization, must go through approval by WVU University Relations to ensure the apparel meet s WVU trademarking regulations. Even apparel that is purchased without an SGA grant MUST be approved by WVU University Relations. The Bureau of Finance cannot pass a grant for a student organization’s apparel without the approval from WVU University Relations.
Trademarking Form: https://urwvu.wufoo.com/forms/internal-request-form-to-order-wvu-branded-product/
General Information
Student organizations are permitted to use the WVU trademarks as approved by the WVU Office of Trademark Licensing to promote their student organization through student organization websites, on licensed apparel, in advertising, etc. A WVU authorized license needs to be used.
Royalties
Apparel and promotional products ordered by WVU departments, student organizations and club sports are subject to the applicable royalty rate.
Exemptions
- Employee or student uniforms
- Uniforms for competition
- Promotional products that do not impact the retail marketplace
WVU Branding Guidelines for Apparel and Promotional Product:
Student Organizations
- Product color should be gold, navy, white or gray. National chapter colors are permissible for national Greek organizations. WVU marks should appear in white, navy or black if an alternate color is used.
- Front must have WVU branding plus student organization name.
- Initials may be used for nationally recognized student organizations.
- Back may include creative design that meets branding guidelines.
- Graphics should be positive in nature and cast a good light on WVU.
- No drugs, alcohol, gambling, firearms or inappropriate language are permitted.
- WVU branding may consist of the Flying WV, “West Virginia University”, “WVU”, Mountaineer, or Mountaineers.
- Verbiage should be placed below the Flying WV or to the right of the logo.
- If the student organization does not want to include their student organization name on the shirt, the design must meet the guidelines for Schools, Colleges and Departments.
- Sponsor logos may appear on the back of the shirt, but no WVU branding is permitted along with the sponsor logos, unless a WVU department is a sponsor. Sponsors should be in alphabetical order unless placement is based on level of sponsorship. If a WVU program is a sponsor, WVU logo should appear at the top, unless it isn’t appropriate based on sponsorship level.
- If a student organization is hosting an outreach, camp or recruitment event, they should follow the guidelines for Camps, Outreach, or Recruitment Events.
- Design cannot use trademarks from other entities or derivatives of those marks.
Greek Organizations
- Design must be approved by WVU Trademark Licensing and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
- At least one WVU mark should appear on the front of the shirt.
- WVU marks can consist of WVU, West Virginia University, Flying WV, Mountaineers or the Mountaineer.
- Other than gold, blue, white or gray, shirt colors for chapter specific events may use an alternate color that is the national organization color, falls within the color family of the WVU brand colors or the alternate color palette. When using an alternate color, the color must be approved by WVU Trademark Licensing and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
- When using an alternate color, WVU marks must appear in white, navy or black.
- Apparel to be worn at national events should be in national organization color or gold, blue, white or gray.
- Creative elements or graphics should appear on the back of the shirt.
- Graphics should be positive in nature and cast a good light on WVU and the Greek Organization.
- No inappropriate language or references to drugs, alcohol, gambling or firearms are permitted.
- Sponsor logos should appear on the sleeve of the shirt when possible.
Products for Events - 5K, Relay for Life, etc.
- When applicable, gold, navy, white or gray should be used. Additional colors need to be approved by WVU Trademark Licensing.
- If it is necessary to use an alternate color, WVU marks must appear in white, navy or black.
- WVU marks should be separated from the event logo if it is a 3rd party, such as the Relay for Life.
- Sponsor logos should appear on the sleeve of the shirt.
- If there are 3 or more sponsors, logos may appear on the back, they should be in alphabetical order unless placement is based on level of sponsorship. If a WVU program is a sponsor, WVU logo should appear at the top, unless it isn’t appropriate based on sponsorship level.
- Partner logos may appear on the back of shirts. WVU marks should appear first.
- Design cannot use trademarks from other entities or derivatives of those marks.
Academic Student Competitions
- Product color should be gold, navy, white or gray.
- Front should have WVU branding plus school, college, department or program name.
- Use Helvetica or Iowan font for WVU branding.
- WVU branding should consist of the Flying WV, Flying WV + signature (stylized West Virginia University), or “WVU”.
- Verbiage should be placed below the Flying WV or to the right of the logo on the left chest.
- Sponsor logos should appear on the sleeve of the shirt.
- Design cannot use trademarks from other entities or derivatives of those marks.