University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
EN-15: Trademark Licensing

The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley is part of the UT System, and through our flagship institution The University of Texas Austin (which handles/covers licensing for the system for all the UT institutions) is a member of the WRC and FLA. According to the UT Office of Brand, Trademarks and Licensing: The Office of Brand, Trademarks and Licensing works to protect and promote the use of The University of Texas System’s name and logos and to ensure that the public can properly identify and associate the logos with officially licensed products bearing the institutions’ marks. The component institutions of The University of Texas System (UT System) have achieved reputations as outstanding institutions of higher education. Reputation is specific to the name of the UT System and each component institution and is represented by the seal, trademarks, logos, and service marks used by the UT System and its component institutions (UT Trademarks). The system trademarks are registered with the U.S. Office of Patent and Trademarks, the state of Texas and in many foreign countries. These marks are the exclusive property of The Board of Regents. A license is required for products featuring UT Trademarks through the Office of Brand, Trademarks and Licensing and Learfield Licensing Partners. University entities must also use a licensed vendor to produce licensed merchandise. Annual royalty income from more than 400 licensees is used to support the mission of the UT System and its component institutions.

The UT System Office of Trademark Licensing, which oversees UTRGV's copyright use, is well-informed on matters regarding workers rights and trademark licensing. This single office manages all of the UT system campus trademarking decisions, and has adopted Labor Code standards that require licensees to disclose the locations of the factories it owns or contracts with and authorize announced and unannounced inspections/monitoring of the factories. Craig Westemeier, Sr. Associate Athletic Director for the University of Texas, currently serves on the FLA board and was recently elected to the WRC board (beginning July 1), providing further guidance on these matters. UTRGV’s trademark licensing initiatives work towards the sustainable development goal of decent work by supporting, promoting, and ensuring decent work for all.