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Become a part of the college brand strategy
CLC works with its partner institutions to identify and cultivate new consumer product companies that can bring value to college consumers through licensed merchandise. Companies can pursue a license in one of two categories:
Retail – Allows a company to produce products bearing the trademarks of collegiate institutions for sale at retail in approved retail channels and direct to consumer, as well as university departments and related entities.
Internal – Allows a company to produce product bearing the trademarks of collegiate institutions for university departments and related entities for internal consumption only; cannot provide product at retailer direct to consumer.
To download a quick reference guide to CLC license types, click here.
NCAA/Bowls/Conference Licensing – CLC has a separate licensing process for “hot market” events, including NCAA tournaments, the College Football Playoff, bowl games, and athletic conferences. Existing CLC licensees may apply for these programs via the Brand Manager 360 system. For companies not currently licensed through CLC, contact CLC’s NCAA & Bowl Properties Division at 770-956-0520, or email Laura Howell (Laura.howell@clc.com) or JuJuan Odom (jujuan.odom@clc.com).
Each CLC partner institution utilizes its own decision-making process to determine how to grant licenses. Click the icons below to learn more about requirements of the CLC licensing process. If you would like more information or have additional questions, please contact applications@clc.com. Thank you for your interest in collegiate licensing.
Contact Info
1075 Peachtree Street
Suite 3300
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 770.956.0520
Fax: 770.955.4491
© 2019 CLC
Thank you for your interest in working with our great collegiate brands!
Each institution utilizes its own decision-making process to determine how to grant licenses, but most review the application, the products they submit, marketing plans, and the ability of each applicant to add unique products or new retail distribution.
Successful applicants typically demonstrate a proven track record in the following criteria:
FEES
CLC requires an application fee that covers the up-front processing and review of each application. This fee varies based on the type of license and the number of institutions being pursued. The non-refundable application fee must be submitted with an application. The first-year administration fee is only required if an application is approved and a license is granted.
Note: Additional institution-specific fees may apply.
LABELING REQUIREMENTS
All Retail License applicants are required to provide CLC with an example of company name label as it will be applied on their products in the marketplace. CLC will accept the following company name applications: hang tag, adhesive, sewn-in label, or licensee name applied directly to product or packaging (printed or etched) or added to the hologram hangtag. If you cannot provide an actual sample, you will be asked to submit a graphic representation of how your company name will be applied on your product along with a written description.
To ensure authentication of licensed merchandise in the marketplace, all retail licensees will also be required to order “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” (OLCP) hologram labels and affix them to all licensed items. CLC will provide you with specific guidelines for use of the hologram labels and instructions for purchasing them if your application is approved by the institution(s).
QUALITY SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS
All Retail License applicants are required to submit at least one quality sample of each product on which they plan to apply collegiate logos once the application is submitted to CLC. A quality sample is simply a generic version of the product that you wish to have licensed so that CLC and the Institutions can review its quality and viability. Quality samples DO NOT need to include specific Institution logos, but they must include an example of your method of application (screen-print, embroidery, etc.). Depending on your Institution selection, applicants may be required to submit additional quality samples.
Please send samples to: CLC, Attn: Applications, 1075 Peachtree Street, Suite 3300, Atlanta, GA 30309
With Rights Comes Responsibility
CLC is committed to supporting the efforts of our partner institutions and licensees to source goods and manufacture collegiate licensed merchandise in an ethical fashion with an emphasis on the workers and communities involved.
Corporate Responsibility (CR) represents a set of standards that universities require of their licensees to respect workplace rights and conditions at both a licensee’s own operations and throughout those of their supply chains. As a licensee, your company is responsible for the action or in-action of all manufacturers and suppliers throughout its supply chain, including third-party vendor/suppliers or authorized manufacturers.
A company’s current and ongoing commitment to and execution of CR standards throughout its supply chain is considered by many universities to be an essential part of the licensing approval and renewal process. If approved for a license, your company will be required to demonstrate its commitment and capacities for ensuring that your products are manufactured under safe, healthy, and fair conditions wherever these operations occur, as is outlined in the CLC License Agreement.
As part of your agreement, you will be required to disclose your supply chain (manufacturers, finishers, materials providers, etc., including locations and other company information) and maintain those disclosures to ensure supply chain transparency.
Additionally, your company may be required to sign and commit to implementing university-specific Labor Codes of Conduct based on the individual institution or supply additional CR-related information as a basis of licensure or renewal. Many institutions also require licensees to affiliate or align with third-party, nonprofit labor rights organizations or global agreements, including but not limited to, the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, the Fair Labor Association, and the Worker Rights Consortium.
For more information on the standards required by CLC’s Code of Conduct, please download the CR document below.
All CLC licensees are required to obtain general insurance in a minimum of $2 million in the aggregate and $1 million per occurrence, including product liability and other coverage. Insurance is required to help protect the licensee, the institutions, and CLC in the case of any claims of damages or defects related to the collegiate licensed merchandise, as well as other liability claims. All licensees, regardless of products or potential risk, are required to obtain this insurance, and some licensees with higher risk products may be required to obtain additional coverage beyond the minimum level. CLC will notify you if this is the case, but examples of products considered higher risk include, but are not limited to, consumables, items that require UL approval, health and beauty items, athletic equipment, infant non-apparel products, infant/toddler and youth sleepwear, and flammable items such as candles or lighters.
New applicants are advised not to purchase new insurance policies until notified by CLC that your product and/or application has been approved. This information is provided early in the process for your planning purposes. However, CLC strongly encourages you to download the agent guidelines and sample policy below for your insurance provider so that they can understand the requirements and provide you with an accurate quote for your needs.
Once you are preliminarily approved for a license, you will be required to provide CLC with a copy of the appropriate insurance certificate and additional insured endorsement as outlined in the attached materials. A License Agreement will not be sent until the appropriate insurance is obtained. Please emphasize to your provider the importance of using an acceptable endorsement type of policy and including the policy number on the endorsement. Please note that all product liability insurance must be written exactly as shown in the attached materials. No deviations will be accepted.
FINDING A PROVIDER
If you are currently not insured, we recommend that you research insurance providers within your state by searching http://www.iiaa.org/ for an insurance agent in your neighborhood. It is important that you select a provider that is licensed in your state, as insurance laws vary widely from state to state.
Addressing your insurance needs early in the process may significantly speed up the licensing or renewal process. If you have any questions, please email our staff at insurance@clc.com.
