DePaul University Athletics
Merchandise & Licensing
DePaul University Athletics is responsible for promoting and protecting the Blue Demon brand.
Our trademark licensing program is administered by the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Merchandise and Licensing, in cooperation with CLC (Collegiate Licensing Company). This includes managing a list of licensed vendors who are approved to produce items that represent DePaul University, as well as advancing such products in the retail space.
This page is designed to provide information for those vendors who may wish to become licensed, those retailers who may wish to reach DePaul fans, and any others with questions regarding our licensing program.
Of note, DePaul University, as a Catholic and Vincentian institution, embraces the Catholic Church's belief in the dignity of workers, as reflected in the writings and deeds of our namesake, St. Vincent de Paul. In that tradition, DePaul recognizes that the right to a job that pays fair and decent wages in a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination, coercion and exploitation, is a fundamental human right worthy of protection. DePaul expects its licensees to adopt business practices that are compatible with the standards embodied in by the Workers Rights Consortium.
View the DePaul University Brand Guidelines
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For Licensees
Any individual, company or organization with an interest in utilizing DePaul University trademarks in the commercial space must obtain a license through CLC. As DePaul University's agency of record, CLC is committed to creating relationships with the University, manufacturers and retailers that result in positive promotion and protection of DePaul's trademarks.
DePaul is a member of the Workers Rights Consortium and strongly encourages licensees to be members of the Fair Labor Association. If not a member of FLA, licensees should have a formal CR policy.
DePaul offers four primary licenses: Standard, Internal, NIL and Vintage.
Standard: This licensed is the most common and includes all primary university marks. The DePaul standard royalty rate is 14%.
Internal: This license is recommended for those vendors who only plan to sell directly to DePaul University. At this time, DePaul is not accepting new internal licensees.
NIL: Our Name, Image and Likeness license allows a licensee to use the DePaul marks alongside the image or name of our current student-athletes. This license also bares a 14% royalty to DePaul. Royalty amounts to the student-athlete depend on whether they are partnering directly with your business or you have obtained their rights through our partnership with Brandr Group.
Vintage: All Billy Blue Demon marks, as well as the Block D and vintage DePaul scripts fall under our vintage license. DePaul does not currently participate in CLC's College Vault program and instead operates our own vintage license at an elevated royalty rate of 16%.
To apply for any of these license types, please contact applications@clc.com
For Retailers
If you are a retailer with interest in carrying DePaul product, please connect with us to receive a full list of licensees.
If you already carry DePaul product and are looking for ways to promote that merchandise to DePaul fans, please also reach out. Promotional opportunities are available at varying levels, from social media posts and emails, all the way to corporate partnerships that include television visible signage and other assets at DePaul home athletic contests.
At any time, please feel free to tag DePaul.Gear on instagram! We would love to collaborate with you!
For DePaul Faculty and Staff
The Athletic Department oversees the trademark and licensing program for all of DePaul University. This includes the university name, signature, tree of wisdom and all college and department-specific logos. We do work closely with University Brand Marketing.
Ordering Promotional Products
Per University policy, all promotional products featuring a DePaul name or logo must be ordered from a licensed vendor. You can find that list here. If you are need of recommendations or assistance in selecting a vendor, please contact us at licensing@depaul.edu.
Your vendor will likely inquire whether your item is for a giveaway, a ticketed event or a fundraiser and whether it is being paid with DePaul University funds (Procard, ACH or check) or Personal funds (personal credit card or each staff member paying for their own item). Your vendor must supply that information to the licensing office when your design is submitted for artwork review.
Ordering Signage or Paper Products
Generally, signage and display products, as well as paper printed materials, are exempt from the licensing process. University Branding and Marketing oversees print vendors. Please connect with them for art approvals or assistance at universitybrand@depaul.edu
Additional Notes
- Please do not pull logos from the internet to create designs. Licensed vendors will have access to the proper logos.
- Artwork that infringes on the trademark or copyright of another organization or individual will not be approved.
- DIBS is protected as part of our trademark licensing program. You must use a licensed vendor to use DIBS.
- DePaul has updated its brand guidelines, meaning previous designs may no longer be approved. Please connect with the licensing office or University Brand Marketing if you would like to update a previous design to adhere to the new standards.
- Use of the university name and university signature logo is generally permitted for scholarly publications and presentations. However, any commercial endeavors require permission from the licensing office.
For DePaul Students
Students are permitted to use the University name and logo subject to the rules in the Student Use of Trademarks guide.
Only Club Sports and ESports are permitted to use Athletic logos.
Promotional Products
Per University policy, all promotional products featuring a DePaul name or logo must be ordered from a licensed vendor. You can find that list here.
Your vendor will likely inquire whether your item is for a giveaway or a fundraiser and whether it is being paid with DePaul University funds (Procard, ACH or check) or Personal funds (personal credit card or each staff member paying for their own item). Your vendor must supply that information to the licensing office when your design is submitted for artwork review.
Please note that it is not permitted to use any DePaul logo or name (in any font) on a project with a vendor who is not on our licensed vendor list.
Fundraisers
DePaul has several licensees who are equipped to assist your student organization with an online fundraiser. Our top recommendation for you is local licensee Club Colors. Their main sales representatve is Zavior Stolpa, zstolpa@clubcolors.com.
Additional Notes
- Please do not pull logos from the internet to create designs. These logos can be outdated and the image quality will not be strong enough. If you are using a licensed vendor, they should have the proper logo file for you.
- Artwork that infringes on the trademark or copyright of another organization or individual will not be approved.
- Greek chapters also have licensing requirements from their national offices. Please make sure that any DePaul licensee you choose to work with also holds a license for your chapter.
- DIBS is protected as part of our trademark licensing program. You must use a licensed vendor to use DIBS.
- Use of the university name and university signature logo is generally permitted for scholarly publications and presentations. However, any commercial endeavors require permission from the licensing office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why have a licensing program?
A trademark licensing program gives the University control over its logos and marks, thus, ensuring the quality and consistency of all of the University's merchandise. It also enables the University to generate revenue from the sale of merchandise bearing its logos and marks. Outside of the University, the trademark licensing program creates a cooperative and positive working relationship with the manufacturers and retailers who work with the University.
How do I become licensed?
Any person, business, or organization with an interest in producing items bearing the trademarks of the University need to first obtain a license through CLC. There are two types of licenses available through CLC - a Retail License and an Internal License. Learn more about the license types and apply for a license here.
Can an alumni or student group sell products using the University's marks as a fundraiser?
In many cases, yes, provided a licensed vendor is used to produce the merchandise and artwork is preapproved.
A list of licensed vendors is available at here. Please note that all items for resale are royalty-bearing.
Please note that Athletic marks are not available for use by student groups or campus departments without prior permission from the licensing office.
Can I buy a player jersey?
DePaul works with the Brandr Group to administer a group licensing program, which allows our student-athletes to have co-branded merchandise featuring their name, number or likeness alongside DePaul trademarks. This includes jerseys, as well as other types of apparel. The two most prominent retailers for DePaul in this space are the DePaul NIL Store, powered by Campus Ink, and Athlete's Thread. Other options may also be available.
Please note that student-athletes must opt into the group licensing program, therefore, not all student-athletes may be represented.
Can I use the University's name or logo on a website?
The internet has made it easy for alumni, fans and supporters to build web pages with the University's name and logos, and the University appreciates this support. However, federal trademark laws require that the University control its name and marks; therefore, the University must be very selective in granting permission in these and all instances.
Fans are welcome to use DePaul-related images on social media, provided that it is for personal use only. Accounts and pages that impersonate DePaul University or the athletic department will be reprimanded according to the policy of the particular social media service.
I am working with a vendor who says I need permission from the University to use the logo. How do I get that?
If a vendor is not licensed, they will often request permission from the University for an individual to use DePaul's marks. This is permissible, depending on the use. Common permitted examples include using the logo on baked goods ( like as a graduation cake) or custom projects/gifts (like a handle for an at home bar or a custom photo frame for a wedding gift).
To request the logo, you will complete the logo request form. Our licensing staff will process and supply the file as well as a permission letter that you can provide to the vendor. Terms and conditions are outlined in the letter.
Who is currently licensed with the University?
A current list of licensees and the products they are licensed to produce can be searched here or you can receive a full list by emailing licensing@depaul.edu. DePaul currently works with 140+ licensed vendors, primarily for retail channels.
Organizations or departments who need assistance in locating licensed manufacturers of particular products may also contact the licensing office at licensing@depaul.edu
Can I alter a mark?
No. Altering a mark would hurt its integrity. This would dilute the strength and value of the mark.
DePaul Athletics does occasionally utilize its wordmark in a variety of color combinations for specific uses, ie. pink for breast cancer awareness month, multi-colored for Pride month, etc. To inquire about a specific combination, please contact licensing@depaul.edu.
Where can I buy licensed DePaul merchandise?
DePaul branded gear is available at both the Lincoln Park and Loop Campus stores, in addition to other retailers in the Chicago area. Merchandise is also available at many online stores.
Please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Shop to view a list of retailers.
I found a licensed product for another university, but not DePaul. How can I get a DePaul version?
Often, product lines are based on customer request. If you see an item in a store, but they do not carry a DePaul version, we encourage you to take note of the item style and manufacturer. Taking a photo of the item and its tags (both branded and price) would be helpful. Then email us HERE. We will work with CLC to see if adding DePaul to that product line is feasible.
What about Billy Blue Demon? Are vintage logos included in the licensing program?
Yes! Marks such as Billy Blue Demon or other non-current DePaul marks may occasionally be used by licensees for retail product and should only be produced by licensed vendors, unless permission is granted by the licensing office.
How do I know if a product is licensed?
Generally, licensed products will contain the TM or circle-R marks next to the logo. At retail, licensed products will include a holographic Collegiate Licensed Product hangtag. So, just look for the label!
CONTACT US
Lindsay Martin
Senior Associate Athletics Director for Merchandise and Licensing
DePaul University
Sullivan Athletics Center
2323 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
licensing@depaul.edu
Jordan Coppola
Manager, Partnerships
CLC
1075 Peachtree Street, Suite 3300, Atlanta, GA 30309
jordan.coppola@clc.com
Beth Monnin
Regional Vice President
CLC
beth.monnin@clc.com