Licensing and Trademarks

What licensing means

A trademark license gives an individual or business permission to reproduce Linfield University’s logos, marks or other brand elements on products or materials. Anyone wishing to use Linfield’s name or marks for commercial purposes must obtain prior approval through Nexus Licensing Group.

This process helps:

• Ensure quality and consistency across all products featuring Linfield branding.
• Protect the university’s trademarks from misuse.
• Promote fair competition among vendors.
• Support the university community through the responsible use of Linfield’s name.

Linfield University reserves the right to pursue any and all legal remedies against infringement of its trademarks.

Becoming a licensed vendor

Anyone producing items that feature Linfield University’s name, logos or other trademarks must be licensed through Nexus Licensing Group. This includes vendors, local businesses and individual crafters creating apparel, merchandise or promotional items.

Whether the products are made for campus departments, student organizations, athletic teams or for resale online or in stores, approval as an official licensee is required before production begins.

Nexus manages the entire application and approval process on behalf of Linfield. All questions regarding licensing or vendor requirements should be directed to:

Tim Potter
Senior Manager/Client Services-West, Nexus Licensing Group
tpotter@nexuslicensinggroup.com

Using Linfield's marks internally

University departments, student organizations and campus partners may use Linfield logos and marks in accordance with Linfield’s brand standards. When creating apparel, giveaways or promotional items, these groups should work with vendors licensed through Nexus Licensing Group.

Items produced for internal use — such as those ordered by student groups or academic departments — are generally royalty-free. However, orders placed by any university entity that will be sold at cost or for a profit are considered royalty-bearing and must comply with the standard licensing requirements.

A trademark license is not required for suppliers producing items such as:

• University signage.
• Marketing or admissions brochures.
• Decals used to identify campus vehicles.
• University letterhead and business cards.
• Required uniforms worn by staff in research labs, facilities, dining services or public safety.

Please note that Linfield’s brand guidelines, brand review process through the Office of Strategic Communications and the university's purchasing policies must still be followed in these cases.

Guidelines and downloadable logo files are available on the Office of Strategic Communications' Linfield Central page.