--- title: FAQs date: 2026-06-03T11:57:00-04:00 author: Tierra Collins canonical_url: "https://brand.umd.edu/trademarks-licensing/faqs" section: Pages --- # FAQs *Trademarks & Licensing* **Frequently Asked Questions** ### I’m a university internal unit or student organization. How do I order promotional items? The ordering process protects the University of Maryland's marks, names and logos, ensuring that all products are consistent with our policies, values and brand standards. - [Get the step-by-step process](https://brand.umd.edu/applying-the-brand/promotional-items) ### Who must be licensed? Any manufacturer of products for resale or for promotion of a commercial venture bearing or using University of Maryland trademarks must be licensed. - [View a list of current licensees](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VKnJmfSxk5DOfvy97eczktvwPwL-Eo6KhKh0P8YB7MY/edit?usp=sharing) ### What products must be licensed? All products that bear a University of Maryland trademark must be licensed or approved. These products include, but are not limited to, apparel, automotive products, crafts, electronics, games, food and drinks, furniture, holiday ornaments, housewares, jewelry, school supplies and sports equipment. The university will not approve or license products connected with firearms, explosives, illegal drugs, tobacco, gambling, sexually suggestive products or language, or any health-related product. ### How do consumers know that a product they are purchasing is licensed? All officially licensed products have a label — hologram sticker, hang tag or indicia statement — identifying it as an Officially Licensed Collegiate Product by the Collegiate Licensing Co. This indicates that it is a quality product manufactured under the Labor Code Standards of the Fair Labor Association. ### How does the approval process work? Any university departments, students, employees, registered student organizations, non-university persons or other entities that want to use university marks in connection with the commercial sale or resale of goods or services must obtain products from a university licensed vendor or obtain a license themselves before offering products for sale. Advance approval from the university is required whether the commercial use will be ongoing or associated with a one-time event, such as using a mark on a poster announcing an event or on an item to be sold as a fundraiser. ### When is approval required? The university must approve all commercial and noncommercial uses, including Internet uses, of university marks. In most circumstances, the university will require payment of a royalty on income-producing uses of university marks. ### I have a new idea for a product I think will sell. What do I need to do to get it to market? First, make sure it is new and unique, then try to protect it. Get legal advice on the kind of protection you might need: copyright, trademark or patent. Next, review the steps you must take for the [licensed vendor application process](https://brand.umd.edu/trademarks-licensing/for-vendors). ### Is it possible for me to sell my product directly on campus, for instance to fans tailgating in the parking lots or walking near the entrances to SECU Stadium or the Xfinity Center? No. All novelty and food and beverage sales, anywhere on university property, are permitted only by concessionaires or licensed vendors.