University Trademarks & Licensing

• Merchandise that bears a registered (or common law) trademark, trade name, service mark, or logo of Northern Arizona University name, must be approved, in writing, by the Office of Trademarks & Licensing (or its agent, CLC). Merchandise produced without written authorization may be considered “counterfeit” and subject to all available legal remedies, including seizure of merchandise.
• Logos are to be used as registered, including the appropriate trademark designation, but may not be otherwise altered without the expressed authorization of the Trademarks & Licensing Office.
• The names and marks of the university will not be used in the promotion of tobacco and/or “recreational” drug products.
• Northern Arizona University logos cannot be used to endorse or promote a private group or business unless authorized by a formal contract or sponsorship agreement.
• Departments may only use the NAU mark with their official lock-up. The University Brand Guidelines are available for your reference.

The use of Northern Arizona University regulated by the Office of Trademarks & Licensing: Campus units may only use the NAU mark with their official lock-up provided to them within the approved logo system, without modifications. Visit the NAU Brand Guidelines website for more information on logo usage.

Consider items that will add value to your program and will reflect positively upon the university. While some items may be “cute” or provide novelty, is it something that will inspire goodwill toward your program and NAU?

All Northern Arizona University departments, student organizations, and associated entities are required to use a licensed vendor for Products bearing NAU trademarks and tradenames (i.e., logos, verbiage including but not limited to “Northern Arizona University,” “Jacks,” “Lumberjacks,” “Northern Arizona,” “NAU,” “Kiss My Axe”).

Royalties: Please note as of July 1, 2023, all items bearing Northern Arizona University trademarks and IP require royalties.

For any questions or clarification, email licensing@nau.edu.

For merchandise and promotional items:

• The NAU Campus Bookstore is contracted with the university for the exclusive right to sell merchandise traditionally offered in University Bookstores and should be afforded the first opportunity to quote any promotional items. To request a quote, please visit the NAU Bookstore Custom Order website.
• For promotional products or any merchandise, browse a list of licensed vendors.

For print materials and internal display items:

• All University offices and personnel are required to use University Printing Services for the University printing jobs in excess of their own routine photocopying and desktop printing. The manager of University Printing Services may grant a waiver of this requirement on a case-by-case basis. Please visit Printing Services for more information.

Artwork may be developed internally or in collaboration with the licensed vendor of your choosing.

Sport clubs: All currently recognized Club Sports housed under Campus Recreation have official Sport Club logos and branding guidelines to adhere to. To access these logos, please email campusrec@NAU.edu. If your sport club does not have a logo, please submit a logo request.

Logo use

• Organizations and clubs not registered with the Office of Student Life or those not officially recognized by the university are not permitted to use any NAU logos or verbiage. Browse a full list of recognized clubs and organizations or a list of recognized sport clubs.
• University Trademarks may not be altered without the express written consent from the Office of Trademarks & Licensing.
• Athletics logos: Athletics logos containing the bordering axe signify our NCAA collegiate-level sports programs and are not permitted for use by any organization, department, or division other than Intercollegiate Athletics.

Approved logos

• Mascot logo use: Student organizations are permitted to use full-body Louie on a case-by-case basis only after gaining approval from the Office of Trademarks & Licensing. Products utilizing full-body Louie are not permitted for resale by internal departments and cannot be used as a fundraiser. Full-body Louie is not permitted to be altered in any way.

• Institutional logo in its entirety
• University tradenames and verbiage (Northern Arizona University, NAU, Lumberjack(s), NAU Lumberjack(s), Jacks)

Brand Identity Guide

Reference the Brand Identity Guide while developing artwork bearing any of the University tradenames.

Submit a branded merchandise and promotional items approval request. The form will require you to include the following information:

1. Licensed vendor name
2. Upload of the design file or art submission
3. Intended use of the item
4. Contact information

Upon receipt of approval from University Marketing, you may place your order directly with the vendor.

Standard turnaround time for production can be anywhere from 4–6 weeks and will vary based on production capacity, weather (for delivery), and vendor. When working with the vendor, please establish an “in-hands” date to determine whether they will be able to meet your needs. In some cases, expedited production and shipping may be available at an additional cost.

Consider items that will add value to your program, are sustainable, and will reflect positively upon the university.

All Northern Arizona University departments, student organizations, and associated entities are required to use a licensed vendor for products bearing NAU trademarks and tradenames (i.e., logos, verbiage including but not limited to “Northern Arizona University,” “Jacks,” “Lumberjacks,” “Northern Arizona,” “NAU,” “Kiss My Axe.”)

Royalties: Please note that as of July 1, 2023, all items bearing Northern Arizona University trademarks and IP require royalties with limited exemptions.

For any questions or clarification, email licensing@nau.edu.

For merchandise and promotional Items:

• The NAU Campus Bookstore is contracted with the university for the exclusive right to sell merchandise traditionally offered in University Bookstores and should be afforded the first opportunity to quote any promotional items. To request a quote, please visit the NAU Bookstore Custom Order website.
• Promotional products: browse a list of licensed vendors.

For print materials and internal display items:

• All university offices and personnel are required to use University Printing Services for university printing jobs in excess of their own routine photocopying and desktop printing. The manager of University Printing Services may grant a waiver of this requirement on a case-by-case basis. Please visit Printing Services for more information.

All University approved logos can be found at the NAU Logo Portal.

• If your department does not have a logo, please submit a logo request, and a representative from the University Marketing team will contact you.

Artwork may be developed internally with the University Marketing team or in collaboration with the licensed vendor of your choosing.

Logo use

• University Trademarks may not be altered without the express written consent from the Office of Trademarks & Licensing.
• Promotional items given away by departments are required to use the unit logo lock-up including the department name and/or be a part of a unique design not available at retail or with retail vendors. All promotional items must be ordered through a licensed vendor.
• General NAU logos are not permitted for giveaway use.
• Athletics logos: Athletics logos containing the bordering axe signify our NCAA collegiate-level sports programs and are not permitted for use by any organization, department, or division other than Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Louie the mascot logos are not permitted for giveaway use.
• Vintage/Vault marks and other specialty marks are not permitted for giveaways outside of very specific exceptions granted by the Office of Trademarks & Licensing.
• Staff uniforms and gear:
  • Departments are required to use their official NAU department lock-up for departmental staff orders.
  • If a general NAU logo is desired for staff gear, orders should be placed to the NAU Bookstore at a discounted departmental rate.
  • For staff uniforms to be considered royalty-exempt, the item must be required for work. Examples include police patches for uniforms, scrubs to identify NAU’s medical students in practice. The only staff apparel for uniforms that are royalty-exempt are polo shirts using the official NAU department lock-up.

Brand Identity Guide

Reference the Brand Identity Guide when developing artwork bearing any of the NAU tradenames.

Submit a branded merchandise and promotional items approval request. The form will require you to include the following information:

1. Licensed vendor name
2. Upload of the design file or art submission
3. Intended use of the item
4. Contact information

Upon receipt of approval from University Marketing, you may place your order directly with the licensed vendor.

Standard turnaround time for production can be anywhere from 4–6 weeks and will vary based on production capacity, weather (for delivery), and vendor. When working with the vendor, please establish an “in-hands” date to determine whether they will be able to meet your needs. In some cases, expedited production and shipping may be available at an additional cost.

1. Most promotional items used for giveaways should use the department lock-up logo found at the NAU Logo Portal.
2. Other options for promotional items can be a unique design for special events.
3. General NAU logos as a standalone logo are not permitted for use on giveaway items.

4. Mascot logos are not permitted for giveaway items

5. Promotional items are required to include “NAU” or “Northern Arizona University” as part of the design.

A licensee is someone who has become licensed with the university and has rights to produce items using NAU logos and trademarks. Licensed vendors have submitted the required paperwork and gone through the approval process to be able to produce goods for the university.

Yes, all promotional items and orders for products utilizing NAU marks require royalties.

Exemptions

Items that are considered exempt from royalties are:

• Uniforms required for staff to wear (i.e., police patches, chef jackets, lab coats, polo shirts utilizing department lock-up logo that will be used for staff apparel)
• NCAA Athletics uniforms and gear required for athletes’ performance
• NCAA Athletics championship rings
• Student Sport Club uniforms

The Axehead mark is reserved for use by the NAU Athletics department and retail use only.