Licensing & Trademarks

Promotional Materials

Tulane’s trademarks and service marks represent the identity of our university and are strictly managed to maintain their integrity. To produce items featuring Tulane marks, all departments, organizations, and external vendors must work with an approved and licensed vendor through our licensing agent, Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). Approval from CLC is required before production. Visit CLC's License Search Tool to find a licensed vendor.

University Trademarks

Tulane’s trademarks and service marks include, but are not limited to: 

  • The words: "Tulane," "Tulane University," "Green Wave," "Tulane Green Wave"
  • The initials: "TU" and the overlapping TU shield logo
  • The official seal of Tulane University
  • The Riptide pelican and the Angry Wave logos

Tulane’s marks may not be altered or used in any way that implies university endorsement, violates anti-discrimination policies, or conflicts with the university’s mission. For additional details, consult Tulane's Brand Guide and Athletics Style Guide.

Usage Restrictions

Tulane reserves the right to reject advertisements that conflict with its fundamental mission, values, or that are inconsistent with the image the university seeks to uphold, or that may negatively impact the well-being of the university community. Therefore, Tulane’s marks cannot appear on:

  • Weapons or items that could cause harm
  • Alcohol- or tobacco/cannabis-related products
  • Sexually suggestive items
  • Products presenting liability risks or inconsistent with Tulane's mission

Additionally, Tulane’s marks cannot include:

  • Endorsements of alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco
  • Racist, sexist, or hateful language
  • Profanity or sexually explicit content
  • Trademarked content owned by others without written permission

Athletics Marks

The "Angry Wave" and "T Wave" marks and logos are reserved for athletics use only. All other athletics marks, including the overlapping "TU" in green and blue, have been retired. For athletics logo guidelines, contact Jana Woodson in Athletics Communications.

Approval Process for Departments and Organizations

  1. Read Tulane's Guidelines for Use of Trademarks.
  2. Determine if your item requires approval:
    Approval Required: Merchandise like t-shirts, bags, or other items featuring Tulane marks for departmental or organizational use.
    No Approval Needed: Official stationery or business cards produced with University Communications' assistance.
  3. Submit for Approval: Vendors will submit designs through the MyiCLC system for review by CLC and Tulane. Each approval is application-specific, and additional items require separate approvals.

If your request to use Tulane trademarks is denied, you may request a review. However, the university reserves the right to decline any usage, even if not explicitly restricted.

Licensing for External Vendors

To produce and sell merchandise with Tulane marks, external vendors must obtain one of the following licenses through CLC:

  • Internal Campus Supplier: For internal-use items only; exempt from royalty fees.
  • Local License: For vendors in the local region producing for resale; requires quarterly royalty reporting and annual fees.
  • Standard License: For broader retail sales; includes a $1,000 application fee and ongoing royalties.

All licensees are required to submit designs through the MyiCLC system for university approval. For detailed requirements and applications, visit the CLC website.

Compliance

Unauthorized use of Tulane’s marks is a violation of university policy and may also violate applicable trademark law. Such misuse may result in legal action. Tulane protects its service marks and trademarks to preserve their value, prevent misrepresentation, and ensure consistent representation of the university’s brand and identity.