Montana State University

Use of University Name and Logos by Registered Student Organizations

Subject:                                  Student Affairs

Policy:                                     Use of University Name and Logos by Registered Student Organizations

Revised:                   

Effective date:                        January 4, 2005

Review date:                          January 2008

Responsible Party:               Licensing Director


The name, logos, and team name ("Bobcats") are registered and protected trademarks of Montana State University which may not be used without the express permission of Montana State University. This policy helps to ensure immediate recognition, the maintenance of appropriateness, and the prevention of commercial use without compensation to the University. 

Registered Student Organizations are permitted to use the name and logos only as follows:

1.         Use of University Name:  A Registered Student Organization may state that its membership is composed of students of Montana State University and may identify themselves only as "The ________ Club of Montana State University, a Registered Student Organization.  No organization may imply that it is acting with the authority or as an agent of MSU nor that it is a intercollegiate athletic team of the university unless it has been named as an intercollegiate team by the Vice President for Student Affairs.  No other use of the university's name is authorized.

 2.         In-house Use of Trademarks:  Registered Student Organizations may use the university name, logos or Bobcats name or logos for "in-house" purposes such as on posters, signs and banners dealing with the on-campus activities of the organization, provided such use reflects positively on the University and the mark is reproduced accurately.  No alteration of the university's marks are allowed.

3.          Sale of Merchandise:  Sale of Merchandise:  Any sale of merchandise with the university name, Bobcats name and/or logos must comply with the Trademark and Licensing Policy published at http://www2.montana.edu/policy/.
Organizations may produce or give away products (such as T-shirts) bearing the university trademark combined with the name of their organization or activity for purposes of internal use by club members without university permission and without payment of licensing fees, provided the usage reflects positively on the university.  Any merchandise sold to persons outside of the student organization and/or to the public that contains the university's name and/or marks must be approved as required under the Trademark and Licensing Policy and will be subject to the payment of a licensing fee.  Organizations intending to sell merchandise that contains the university's name, MSU, Bobcats or any logos registered or purporting to represent a logo of the university must receive advance approval by the Licensing Director as outlined in the Trademark and Licensing Policy.

4.            Use on Organization's Website:   Registered Student Organizations may use the name and logos of the university in connection with an Organization's official website subject to the following restrictions:

                A.  Use of the University name must be consistent with applicable Trademark and Licensing policies and the
                      limitations contained herein.

                B.  The Web page content may not include language or images that are offensive or otherwise reflect
                      inappropriately on MSU.

                C.  The name,  logos or marks may not be used in conjunction with commercial advertising.

                D.  The marks may be enlarged or reduced, but not altered in any other way.  No other uses of the University's
                      name or logos are allowed.