Look for the Label

To make sure your UT gear is authentic, always look for the label. “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” tags, holograms or stickers show that your purchase supports the University and meets licensing standards.

What do these Labels Signify?

official collegiate licensed product label, blue.
officially licensed collegiate products red emblem.
officially licensed collegiate product silver hologram emblem.

It’s more than a label, it’s scholarships.

When you purchase a University of Tennessee product that bears the “Official Licensed Collegiate Products” label, hang tag, or hologram, a portion of your purchase price is returned to the University. At the University of Tennessee, that money helps to provide financial assistance for students. By simply looking for the label when you buy University of Tennessee merchandise, you are helping make the college experience a reality for students who otherwise may be unable to attend.

It’s more than a label, it’s trademark protection.

The trademarks and logos that represent the University of Tennessee are property of the University of Tennessee. Just like any property owner, the University wants to ensure that its property is cared for properly. Use of these trademarks without the permission of the University is illegal, and manufacturers and retailers who use these marks without permission are subject to prosecution.

The “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” label, hang tag, or hologram signifies that the University has granted the manufacturer the right to use its trademarks. Without this signification, the merchandise may be counterfeit.

It’s more than a label, it’s your assurance of quality.

The “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” label, hang tag, or hologram not only signifies that the manufacturer has been given permission to use the trademarks of the University of Tennessee, but also that the merchandise has passed the strict standards set forth by the University. Through a system of quality control, the label, hang tag, or hologram has come to represent genuine craftsmanship and authenticity, guaranteeing that the product you are purchasing is of the quality you deserve.

Report Unlicensed Merchandise

Have you noticed questionable products with trademarks or logos that belong to the University of Tennessee?  Let us know!

Signs of unlicensed merchandise are as follows:

  1. No “Officially Licensed Collegiate Product” label shown on the product
  2. Product uses marks without proper insignia
  3. Product appears to be very LOW quality
  4. Images and logos of Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, and/or the Health Science Center are distorted or manipulated, sometimes in a distasteful manner
  5. Sellers are often roaming and selling merchandise from duffle or book bags

Send an email to license@utk.edu and dougherty@tennessee.edu to inform the UT System about products you see that appear to not be licensed.

Information to include:

  1. Your name and email as the point of contact
  2. Date the product was first found
  3. Brief description of the product (supporting images are accepted)
  4. Location you found the product (store name, event, website, etc.)
  5. Does the product have a hologram label attached?
    1. If yes, what is the number on the hologram label?
  6. Additional information about where the product was seen/found (vendor contact information, etc)