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Office of University Communications
Trademarks and Licensing

Trademarks and Licensing Policies

Use of UB’s Name and Marks

A detail photo of the UB logo embroidered on a blue, black and white plaid garment.

Policies of the Trademarks and Licensing Program govern how the name and signature marks of the University at Buffalo may and may not be used.

A detail photo of a brown teddy bear wearing a blue t-shirt that says I love UB.

UB’s signature marks may not be used in any way that discriminates or implies discrimination against any persons or groups based on age, ancestry, belief, color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status, or in any other way that would be a violation of UB’s anti-discrimination policies or practices.

UB’s signature marks may not be used in any manner that suggests or implies UB’s endorsement of other organizations, companies, products, services, political parties or views, or religious organizations or beliefs

UB will not approve nor license the use of the UB name or marks in connection with certain products. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Alcoholic beverages and certain related products.
  • Tobacco, lighters and other smoking-related products.
  • Drug paraphernalia.
  • Firearms or weapons.
  • Certain food products. Food and beverage products and accompanying packaging will be allowed on a case-by-case basis by the Trademarks and Licensing Program and with its prior written permission.
  • Sexually oriented goods.
  • Health, skin care and toiletries products.
  • Goods related to gambling, lotteries and sweepstakes.
  • Religious or burial goods.
  • Products of a political nature.
  • Goods including names or pictures of current students (e.g., student-athletes).
  • Services of any kind (e.g., moving companies, area entertainment programs or tour services).
  • Designs that incorporate trademarks or copyrights not owned by the university, unless written permission is received from the trademark or copyright owner and from the Trademarks and Licensing Program.
  • Goods making unfavorable references to race, religion, sex, national origins or handicaps.
  • Certain sports/athletic equipment.
  • Products in “poor taste,” including bathroom products.

The above list is not exhaustive. Other items may also be prohibited. Also, any use of names of organizations or businesses in conjunction with UB’s trademarks is subject to the approval of the Trademarks and Licensing Program.

If you have questions, please contact the Trademarks and Licensing Program.

 

University at Buffalo Policy and Information on Sweatshop Legislation

Campus Policy

The University at Buffalo is in compliance with New York State's sweatshop legislation (Chapter 350 of the Laws of 2002), amendments of 2003, and related State University (SUNY) policy. Responding to the law and policy, UB requires each competitive bidder for State procurement of apparel and sports equipment to:

  • certify compliance with labor and occupational safety laws, and
  • provide available information on subcontractors and manufacturing plants.

The major clothing and sports equipment suppliers to UB advised the University that they and their suppliers comply with safety and occupational safety standards, have or will sign compliance statements (4KB), and will provide, as available, support documentation requested by the University.

As a result of the legislation and policy, bidders on State purchase contracts for UB apparel and sports equipment may be deemed by the University Purchasing Department as "not responsible" if a prospective vendor fails to certify compliance or fails to provide information sufficient to determine compliance on University request. Documentation will be requested by the University when:

  • there is information available to suggest vendors/suppliers or prospective vendors/suppliers are not in compliance, or
  • there is a specific, credible, and verifiable complaint made about a vendor/supplier or a prospective vendor/supplier to the University, or
  • on a random basis, to assess compliance and accessibility and availability of appropriate documentation. (view UB's Vendor Certification of compliance with Fair Labor Conditions as a PDF (135KB) or Word (43KB) file.)

The University reviewed the standards for apparel manufacturers and vendors, as developed by several organizations, including the Fair Labor Association, the Worker's Rights Consortium, and the Collegiate Licensing Company. Their national standards have common elements for all suppliers and vendors, including:

  • compliance with all applicable local and national legal requirements of the area where they are conducting business,
  • compensation for employees at least at local minimum wage or local prevailing industry wage, whichever is higher, and providing legally-mandated benefits,
  • adherence to local standard work week, time off, and overtime requirements, but except in extraordinary circumstances, not more than 48 hours of work, per week and 12 hours overtime, with at least one day off every seven-day period,
  • no employment for children under age 15 (14 in International Labor Organization developing nations) or under the age for compulsory education, whichever is higher,
  • no use of forced labor,
  • no abuse or harassment of employees,
  • respect for employee rights of association and bargaining,
  • provision of a safe and healthy working environment, and
  • no discrimination in employment on basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinions, or social or ethnic origins.

In support of the State law and campus policy, documentation addressing these standards may be requested by the University from apparel and sports equipment vendors and suppliers, as appropriate. As appropriate, vendors and suppliers may also be required to annually agree to the UB trademark licensing agreement and to comply with its terms. (View Factory Disclosure Form from SUNY's Trademark Licensing Renewals as a PDF (36KB).

The University established an advisory group in Fall 2003 to meet once a semester on UB policy on sweatshop legislation. Invitations to the meeting have been extended to campus governance groups, including student governments, Faculty Senate and Professional Staff Senate, Purchasing Department, Trademarks and Licensing, UB Bookstore, Athletics, and FSA. The advisory group will review campus policy and implementation, consider vendor/supplier response to documentation requests, review related developments from related national organizations, and contribute to the University annual report.

An annual report on campus compliance with sweatshop legislation will be provided for representative faculty, staff, and student governance organizations. The annual report will be posted on a University website, with links to the UB Trademark Licensing Agreement, appropriate State legislation and websites on related organizations and issues. Information about advisory group meetings will also be posted on the website.

While the legislation itself is limited to State purchase of apparel and sports equipment, the University has also asked for consideration of voluntary compliance with the new State standards from the privately operated University Bookstore, the campus auxiliary service corporation (Faculty Student Association, Inc.), other non-State purchasers of apparel and sports equipment on campus, and vendors who are licensed to produce products bearing the University at Buffalo's name and marks. The University will annually advise the Bookstore, FSA, and other non-State purchasers of apparel and licensed vendors of the State requirements and request a report on their policies and voluntary compliance. This information will be included in the annual report on this website.