ECU Licensing Program

Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of the most common questions asked regarding the ECU licensing program. If a topic you have questions about is not covered, please visit the Comment page and send your request to the appropriate individual.

What is the purpose of our licensing program?
What marks may be used to represent the University?
What type of products may be licensed?
What happens when a trademark is used without permission or without a license?
What are the laws pertaining to licensed trademarks and products?
How do I tell if merchandise is licensed?
What if I do not see the "officially licensed" label or find out a product is not licensed?

What is the purpose of our licensing program?
The University feels it is necessary for the protection and enhancement of the University's image to standardize a logo and establish a formal process for approval of the products marketed with East Carolina University symbols and promotional uses. This helps strengthen the identity of the University and prevents inappropriate use of the University name and/or image.

What marks may be used to represent the University?
East Carolina University has designated that only officially licensed trademarks may be used to represent the University. These marks are represented throughout the various pages of this site. All marks of the University are state and federally registered.

What types of products may be licensed?
A wide variety of products are licensed for the University, including apparel, glassware, and decorative items, among others. The University will consider any product, but no product will be licensed by ECU until the University has approved it.

What happens when a trademark is used without permission or without a license?
Any promotion referencing the University requires the express written permission of the University and The Collegiate Licensing Company. The University legally protects its marks and the institution's image through the licensing program and unlicensed use of trademarks is subject to state and federal anti-counterfeiting laws.

What are the laws pertaining to licensed trademarks and products?
North Carolina state laws and United States federal laws prohibit the use, reproduction and counterfeiting of licensed trademarks and infringement of these policies is punishable in varying degrees, depending on the type and severity of the infringement.

Some possible penalties for trademark infringement include:

Class 2 misdemeanor: possessing items with retail sales value (RSV) under $3,000

Class I felony: possessing items with RSV between $3,000 and $10,000

Class H felony: possessing items with RSV exceeding $10,000

Class H felony: knowingly producing/reproducing counterfeit items

Additionally, the plaintiff may be entitled to:

Triple the damages the plaintiff sustained, OR

Triple the profits the defendant made.

Important links regarding penalties and trademark licensing include:

North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State
Lanham Trademark Act of 1946
Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute: US Code 15, Chapter 22

How do I tell if merchandise is licensed?
The "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" hologram appears on all licensed merchandise for the University and the other Consortium members of CLC. Any merchandise not bearing these labels for schools represented by The Collegiate Licensing Company, but using a University mark may represent an infringement of trademark punishable by law.

CLC Hologram

CLC Hangtag - not to scale

What if I do not see the "officially licensed" label or find a product is not licensed?
Please notify the University licensing office of any suspect products to help protect the University's name and image. Companies who produce and sell unlicensed (counterfeit) products do not support the Pirates financially, unlike those who are licensed by the University. Unlicensed products may present an image inconsistent with that being set forth by the University. If you would like to report counterfeit merchandise or have a question regarding the authenticity of any product please contact The Collegiate Licensing Company or University Licensing Coordinator.