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Office of Trademark Licensing


UC San Diego's Office of Trademark Licensing (OTL) is administered by the director of the UC San Diego Bookstore. OTL's primary role is to protect and promote the public image of the University of California San Diego, by managing the use of the university's names, logos, and distinctive visual images and to ensure compliance with UC Code of Conduct requirements. Information for faculty, staff, students, vendors, and sponsors follows regarding use of the University's name and symbols for commercial purposes and procedures for obtaining approvals for their use. The Office of Trademark Licensing serves a number of interrelated functions for UC San Diego:
  • OTL promotes a positive image of the University through the marketing of the University's name symbols in a variety of media, including print advertisements, movies, websites, and logo products such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, electronic games, and novelties.
  • OTL preserves and enhances the value of campus trademarks as desirable and profitable for use in such ways as:
    • Licensing another to use UC San Diego marks, while maintaining control over the nature and quality of the licensee's goods or services associated with the mark.
    • Protecting the University's trademarks from misuse and infringement by enforcing a high-quality standard for emblematic products.
    • Managing consistent and appropriate use of the UC San Diego marks.
    • Negotiating license, settlement, and other agreements with non-university commercial entities.
    • Initiating state, federal, and international trademark registrations.

General UC San Diego Trademark Information

A trademark is a word, symbol, design, combination word and design, slogan, or even a distinctive sound, that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one party from those of another.

A trademark identifies the source of a product or service that indicates certain quality standard inherent in the product or services. All variances of names and visual representations of the University of California San Diego are considered UC San Diego trademarks. The University owns these trademarks and carefully manages their commercial use.

In order to use these trademarks, a vendor must be licensed and obtain approval by the campus's licensing company CLC.

Additionally, please read the UC Code of Conduct and UC San Diego Identity Guidelines.

UC San Diego trademarks are the exclusive property of the regents of the University of California. The marks include any trademark, service mark, name, logo, insignia, seal, design, or other symbol or device associated with or referring to UC San Diego.


UC San Diego Trademarks

UC San Diego's trademarks include, but are not limited to:

  • University name and logo
  • University seal
  • Triton(s) name and logo
  • UC San Diego Health name and logo
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography name and logo
  • Birch Aquarium at Scripps name and logo
  • UC San Diego college names and logos

Other UC San Diego trademarks include:

  • Any variation of the University's name
  • Campus landmarks such as Geisel Library, Stuart Collection, etc.
  • Names of athletic teams, e.g., Tritons
  • Names of affiliated divisions, schools, departments, programs, organizations, and student groups, e.g., School of Global Policy and Strategy, Jacobs School of Engineering, The Preuss School
  • Any word, phrase, or image that implies association with the University, such as "Go Tritons!"

Licensing Resources

Campus Resources