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Definitions
Trademark: a word, phrase, logo, or other graphic symbol used to distinguish a product or service from those of others.
Trademark License: an agreement by which ̽̽ or its authorized agents gives another party the right to use a ̽̽ Trademark, subject to control over the nature and quality of the goods or services, in exchange for payment of a royalty or other consideration.
̽̽ Intellectual Property or ̽̽ IP: patents, inventions, copyrights, and computer software, developed by University faculty, staff, students or post-docs and as defined in the University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
General
University trademarks include, without limitation, "University of Vermont," "̽̽," "Catamounts," the official University seal, and any design, symbol, logo, art, word, or words associated with or referring to the University or its sanctioned activities, such as sports. In addition, the University owns certain marks that identify products and services developed in the course of University research or that are otherwise subject to the University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for maintaining the official University record of registered trademarks.
Registration of New University Trademarks - Generally
University faculty, staff, or students who wish to seek trademark registration for a product, service, program, or activity (“product”) that is not ̽̽ IP should contact OGC.
OGC will initially determine whether the proposed mark covers a University product, and whether the proposed mark is likely to be subject to registration under trademark law. If so, OGC will verify that the proposed registration has programmatic approval at the appropriate department or unit level and, if so, OGC will submit the trademark request for review and approval by the Senior Vice President and Provost, the latter of whom will consult with the Chief Communications Officer. If the request is approved, OGC will initiate the trademark registration process. The department or unit seeking registration will pay the costs associated with registration of the trademark.
If the proposed mark does not does not cover a University product, but would involve the affiliation of a product with ̽̽, OGC will assess whether the proposed mark is likely to be subject to registration under trademark law. If so, OGC will submit the trademark request for review and approval by the Senior Vice President and Provost, the latter of whom will consult with the Chief Communications Officer. If the request is approved, OGC will initiate the trademark registration process. The individual or department seeking registration will pay the costs associated with registration of the trademark.
OGC will refer all licensing requests for use of preexisting Trademarks to the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Communications and University Licensing Director.
Registration of ̽̽ Intellectual Property Trademarks
The University may seek to register trademarks that support ̽̽ IP ("̽̽ IP Marks"). Determinations on applying for trademark and service mark registrations relating to ̽̽ IP Marks will be made by the Director of̽̽ Innovations (̽̽I) in consultation with OGC. ̽̽I will pay for the costs associated with registration of a ̽̽ IP Mark.
If a ̽̽ inventor or creator wishes to register a new mark that would reflect the affiliation of a product with ̽̽, the inventor must contact ̽̽I, which will initiate the review and authorization process. ̽̽I, in consultation with OGC, will seek a decision on the request to register the mark from the Provost & Senior Vice President, the latter of whom will consult with the Chief Communications Officer. If the request is approved, the inventor will pay for the costs associated with registration of a trademark.
̽̽ may enter into Trademark Licenses with licensees of ̽̽ IP.
Licensed or other Uses of University Trademarks
All uses of University Trademarks, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, must be properly licensed. Inquiries about University Trademark Licenses should be directed to the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Communications and University Licensing Director.
Is there education available?
Training will be provided on an as-needed basis as determined by the Approval Authority or the Responsible Official.