The University of Delaware Licensing and Trademark Program was developed to promote, enhance, elevate and protect the University's identity and brand and ensure the proper and appropriate use of its name, logos and trademarks. The University has registered many of University of Delaware's names, logos and trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the State of Delaware.

As defined by the US Patents & Trademarks Office, "a trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others." A trademark need not be registered in order to protect the rights to it, simply by using or displaying a mark acquires automatic trademark rights to the owner.

A consistent, coordinated presentation of the University's identity enhances the University's reputation for excellence and helps identify the many benefits the University provides. The more consistently graphic elements are used, the stronger the visual identity, and the stronger the visual identity and use of consistent wording, the greater the awareness and recognition of the University.

The goals of the University of Delaware Licensing and Trademark Program are to:

• Ensure the proper use of trademarks, service marks, logos, and insignias on products associated with the University to maintain standards in keeping with the quality of the University of Delaware.
• Protect the University's reputation, good name and image by permitting only appropriate uses and assuring that only quality products bear the University's name, initials or logos through requiring that official licensees be used to imprint or produce any products bearing University marks unless they are produced on campus by authorized units.
• Generate royalty income to benefit student scholarships.

These policies and procedures are designed to provide guidance for users and to ensure that institutional images follow high standards befitting the University.

The Licensing and Trademark Program is administered by the Office of Communications & Marketing, in consultation with other University offices and the University of Delaware Licensing Advisory Committee.