POLICY 08:05:04

COLLEGE LOGO, TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT

This policy is consistent with Tennessee Board of Regents Policy 9.01.01.00 (formerly 1.03.01.10).

Purpose

To enhance, maintain and protect the brand identity for the Tennessee Board of Regents, the System Office, Colleges, and operational units, this policy governs the use of all words, logos or symbols used to identify or distinguish services affiliated with the TBR or any part of the TBR System for any purpose. It provides that all appropriate applicable guidelines pertaining to the words, logos, symbols or other brand identifiers must be followed.

Definitions

College Trademark/Brand (hereafter “Brand”) – All logos, seals, names, symbols and slogans and trade dress used by and associated with the College, whether or not registered with either or both the state and federal government.

Definitions included in the overarching Marketing and Communications Policy (9.01.00.00) apply.

Policy/Guideline

1. Brands
   1. College Brands are the exclusive property of the College. No person or entity other than the College may claim rights in or seek to register any design that uses the College’s Brands.
   2. Executive Director of Marketing and Communications should maintain a brand guide outlining the proper usage of logos, seals, wordmark, fonts, and other assets deemed necessary by the College when using the logo.
   3. Any marketing or promotional materials representing or created on behalf of the College must be clearly identified with the College’s brand and follow the Publications Policy 9.01.02.00.
   4. Reproduction or use of these marks for any purpose not explicitly allowed by this policy, whether or not for commercial purposes, must have authorization from the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
   5. Only the President or Executive Director of Marketing and Communications can grant permission to use any College Brand.
   6. College Brands may not be altered in any way without the authorization of the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
   7. Each use of a College Brand, unless specifically authorized by this policy, requires approval from the College Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
      1. Colleges should document appropriate procedures for units, programs, initiatives, and outside entities, including student groups and organizations, in local policy or guidelines to request Brand usage or licenses.
      2. Licenses cannot be granted indefinitely. Each license must have a specified and reasonable duration.
   8. Approval to use a Brand for a one-time application only does not constitute approval to use the Brand again, in connection with any other item, or to change the design in any way.
   9. College Brands may not be used in conjunction with the name or brand(s) of any other entity without the prior written permission of the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
      1. In the case that permission is granted to use the College Brand and another entity’s logo in a design, the logos must be distinct and separate.
   10. The College’s Brands may not be used to discriminate or imply discrimination against any person or group protected by federal or state civil rights law or in any other way that would violate the College’s non-discrimination policies or practices.
   11. College Brands are prohibited from use on, but not limited to, the following:
       1. Alcoholic beverages
       2. Inherently dangerous products – such as firearms or explosives
       3. Tobacco-related products
       4. Illegal drug-related products
       5. Obscene or disparaging products
       6. Sexually suggestive products
       7. Business names and or logos
       8. Products that present an unacceptable risk of liability
       9. Products that are inconsistent with, or harmful to, to the mission of the College or designs that would tend to damage the reputation or degrade the goodwill of the College
   12. Businesses may use College Brands in a non-permanent fixture (i.e., window painting, removable lettering on marquees) supporting a College event.
       1. Such displays may not contain solicitation for selling of products or services, but the company name/logo may appear.
       2. Individuals or organizations may not use the College’s Brands in conjunction with a candidate for political office or policy/legislative issue.
   13. A registered student organization or sport club team may use the College name in its title, publications or letterhead to show its status as a registered student organization, but may not use the name in a manner that creates confusion between it as an organization and the College itself, nor in a manner that would in any way constitute an endorsement, approval or underwriting of any organization, product, activity, service or contract by the College.
   14. The following use of College Brands by College departments does not require prior approval from the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
       1. The use of Brands in the ordinary course of conducting College business.
       2. Internal use of the College Brands remains under the jurisdiction of the
          Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, and applicable publications and advertising policies still apply.
2. Exemptions and Exceptions
   Exemptions and exceptions outlined in the overarching Marketing and Communications Policy (9.01.00.00) apply.

Sources: T.C.A. § 49-8-203, TBR Policy 9.01.01.00

Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, April 27, 2015
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., April 27, 2015
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, May 23, 2022
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., May 23, 2022
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, February 26, 2024
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., February 26, 2024