Trademark Disclosure

This policy applies to all current and proposed trademarks at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

The University of Nebraska policy on trademarks is set forth in Executive Memorandum No. 20, which states:

(T)he Vice President for Business and Finance and the Principal Business Officer on each of the campus of the University, with the written approval of the Vice President and General Counsel or an attorney on his or her staff, is hereby granted the delegated authority to develop, adopt, and protect University trademarks, trade names, copyrighted designs and other indicia on behalf of the University of Nebraska, its major administrative units and the various administrative subdivisions thereof.

Marks that incorporate a design or logo must first be submitted for approval using the secondary logo review process. The process requires review and approval by the Chancellor, and the University-wide Identity Committee, and the President. The University's brand standards can be found here.

The Trademark Disclosure Form must be completed in its entirety. Any questions left blank will render this form incomplete. Add spaces and as needed, otherwise do not modify this form. If additional space is needed to complete this form, please add or provide information in the form of an attachment.

The purpose of this policy is to provide the University with information regarding proposed trademarks and service marks so that the University may evaluate and decide whether to protect a proposed mark, and if so, how to protect the mark.

Questions regarding logo approval or the University's identity standards should be directed to University Communications-Publications & Photography, 472-7022, or University Communications-Strategic Marketing, 472-7026 or 472-1683.

For advice on completing the disclosure form or for additional information please contact the UNL Office of the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance. Please return one signed original copy of this form with any necessary supporting materials to:

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance
307 Canfield Administration Building
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588-0425
Phone: 402-472-4455

Trademark: any word, slogan, symbol, name, device or combination thereof that is used to identify the source of goods in commerce. 

Service Mark: identical to a trademark, except that it serves to identify the source of services in commerce.