Additional Policies for Non-Campus Use
Whether you are a business, media outlet, crafter, or individual, the use of the UW–Madison name, logos, and other identifying marks often requires approval or licensing. Here are some of the important policies and special rules for non-campus use.
Advertising, promotional, and business use
Additional policies in place regarding University intellectual property (IP):
- A reference to UW–Madison indicia in advertising by retailers or manufacturers requires the university’s approval, as specified in the license agreement.
- Retailers or licensed manufacturers may use pictures in advertisements showing licensed products with university indicia for sale without requiring approval.
- Schedule cards, posters, calendars, etc., which are used to generate revenues through the sale of advertising require licensing, the university’s approval of advertisers, and a royalty on the sale of advertising.
- Questionable uses of university marks on schedule cards, posters, calendars, photographs, etc., should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine if infringement has occurred.
- The University of Wisconsin, UW, Bucky, Badger, or Badgers cannot be used by private and/or corporate businesses in the sale of commercial products or advertising. University indicia cannot be incorporated into off-campus business telephone numbers, internet addresses, or internet domain names.
- The university does not permit the use of its identifying graphics by any other institution or business. The director of trademark licensing can make exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis.
- With the exception of certain businesses that were established prior to the university’s licensing program, private and/or corporate businesses are not allowed to use UW–Madison indicia in their business name.
Crafter’s program
The licensing office offers a crafter’s program to provide artists and crafters the ability to become licensed to sell products with university marks.
- Crafters’ licenses are not available for any apparel products.
- There is a $2,000 annual gross sales limit. Sales in excess of $2,000 annually require a regular license.
- Crafters’ licenses are valid for one year and require annual renewal.
- Crafters’ licensees must submit annual sales and royalty reports to maintain their license.
For more details, email trademarklicensing@wisc.edu.
News media or informational use
Special rules apply for media or informational use of UW–Madison content.
- References to UW–Madison indicia by news media for informational purposes to identify the university are not subject to the licensing program.
- Photographs of campus scenes or monuments are considered informational use and are not subject to the licensing program unless they feature university indicia and are exploited commercially. The use of such photographs on commercial products requires approval by the university and may require licensure. Each item will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Photographs taken at athletic events may only be used for news and editorial purposes. Photographs of former university student-athletes may not be sold without their consent and written permission.
- Schedule cards or posters that include the university’s name, but no logos or slogans, are not subject to the licensing fee and are considered for informational use. Any use of UW–Madison indicia, other than the name, shall require licensing, although the university may elect to waive royalties if it receives other benefits, such as publicity, from such use.
Non-commercial personal use
At times, the university will consider the limited use of certain elements of its IP portfolio for one-time, private, non-commercial use. Considerations would only apply to uses not available from a licensed vendor.
For more details, email trademarklicensing@wisc.edu.