Value of Licensing
Indiana University enjoys a rich history dating back to 1820. IU has since gained world-renowned recognition as an institution of higher education and a dominant force in collegiate athletics. This tradition has led to the development of a loyal alumni, student and supporter base worldwide.
The IU licensing program was created to ensure that the public identifies University marks on products bearing the University’s logos. The licensing program is also designed to establish a cooperative relationship with licensees to assist in developing a market for officially licensed products of Indiana University.
The program ensures quality control and protection of the valuable University marks and prevents the weakening of its mark’s market power through inspection of the quality and appearance of the products upon which the marks are applied. This allows consumers to associate with the good name of officially licensed IU products.
Development and protection benefits both the University and its licensees by strengthening the marks in the mind of the consumer, potentially influencing student enrollment and fan support. These influences can in turn lead to larger markets for the licensed products and more revenue for the licensees.
Protecting the quality and integrity of University marks generates revenue, disbursed to scholarship funds within the University, which allow IU to attract the best students and athletes to join the University family. These high quality students and athletes are the basis of the University’s world renown as an institution of higher learning and dominant force in collegiate athletics. Since the inception of the Indiana University licensing program, millions of dollars have been generated for University scholarships.
The IU licensing program is committed to a cooperative relationship with licensees, protecting and developing a market for IU marks. Licensees can aid in the protection of University marks by informing the Office of Licensing and Trademarks of any illegal use of IU names and symbols. With help from licensees, the University can better "police" the market and stop infringement.
Licensees and retailers may also use the "Collegiate Licensed Product" label to indicate officially licensed goods, allowing the public to recognize official products.
The IU licensing program is a cooperative endeavor between Indiana University and its licensees, benefiting Indiana University, its licensees, and the consumer. By working together, the value of Indiana University marks can be enjoyed now and enhanced for the future.
