Logo Usage, Outside Vendors

We've received a few questions lately about using local vendors for K- StateResearch and Extension paraphernalia. We certainly don't mind going to localbusinesses and asking them to put the K-State Research and Extension logo on shirts, cups, and other items. In fact, it supportsTHE local economy and that is a good thing. But, here are some things tokeep mind when going to a local vendor.

1-Check prices of items in K-State Research and Extension's inventory. Weare able to buy items in bulk and usually provide them at a lower cost thanavailable at the local level. Plus, you can buy them with your publicationsallocations funds, which makes it convenient for your office.

2-We do not keep apparel items in our marketing inventory, due to variationsin sizes and logo needs. If you don't have a local vendor from which topurchase K-State Research and Extension apparel, we tend to go to retailersin Manhattan for our apparel, as they already have our artwork on file andgive us good deals. We do not have a contract that requires us to use anyparticular company, however, so feel free to shop around.

3-If you are using a local vendor, make sure they are aware of recent policychanges and enforcement from K-State's Division of Licensing(http://www.k-state.edu/logos/). Since our logo includes the powercat, wemust be sure to follow all guidelines regarding the powercat usage. Vendorswho do not follow the policy could risk forfeiture of their inventory. Thepolicy states, "The program requires producers of products displaying theUniversity's name and/or marks to be licensed through CLC or the University.The licensing royalty is 10 percent of the wholesale value of the product(s)being produced. All artwork must be approved by K-State's main licensingoffice. The artwork approval forms are located on the Web site athttp://www.k-state.edu/logos."

4- What about our powerpoints, Web pages, brochures, etc? If you are amember of K-State Research and Extension's faculty or staff, you aregenerally allowed to use Kansas State University's name and marks forprofessional presentations. If you are not affiliated with Kansas StateUniversity as a current faculty or staff member, you must request permissionbefore using logos or items owned by the University.

5- When it comes to using the logo, it might be lot easier to ask permissionthan forgiveness. For questions about logo usage or to get permission to useit, contact K-State's Division of Intellectual Property(http://www.k-state.edu/academicpersonnel/intprop/). For other marketingquestions, contact the K-State Research and Extension marketing unit or go to our blog athttp://ksremarketingminute.blogspot.com/.

Logo Usage, Outside Vendors