In order to obtain a license to produce and sell items bearing the University of Nebraska marks, please fill out an application through IMG College Licensing (IMGCL) on their website http://www.clc.com/. There is information on that site, in addition to the below information, that must be considered before applying. The below information sets out the steps to applying for a license and what a license, if granted, entails. For example, there are many costs and reports associated with obtaining and maintaining a license, just as any business venture includes. Although we cannot guarantee a license will be granted, we greatly appreciate and consider all applications.
APPLICATION
- Significant time and financial commitment as application must be thorough and provide proven results
- See IMGCL License Type Quick Reference sheet for requirements, costs, and timelines
- Application fee: $100 - $1,000
- See additional license costs below
- Application timelines: 4-15 weeks
- Standard License criteria: Companies must exhibit well-established marketing plans, existing product distribution, solid financial history of selling licensed products and/ or are introducing unique and commercially viable product to collegiate market.
- Includes completing and submitting the Corporate Responsibility and Supply Chain Compliance Questionnaire, including the Factory/Supplier Information Form, if required by one or more of the Institutions for which you are applying.
- See IMGCL License Type Quick Reference sheet for requirements, costs, and timelines
- License not guaranteed upon completion of application
- Significant time and financial commitment as application must be thorough and provide proven results
APPROVAL PROCESS
- ** APPROVAL IS NOT GUARANTEED
- Most IMG College Licensing partner institutions strategically manage the use of their brands, carefully considering who they approve to use their trademarks and logos on merchandise or for commercial purposes.
- Each institution utilizes its own decision-making process to determine how to grant licenses. The Institution carefully analyzes every applicant’s:
- business plan,
- the products they submit,
- marketing plans, and
- the ability of each applicant to add unique products or new retail distribution.
- Typically, the Top 50 selling institutions are more selective than institutions with emerging licensing programs or regional retail distribution.
- Important Note: Several institutions have pre-existing exclusive agreements in certain product categories and distribution channels that preclude them from considering other vendors. Also, because of existing saturation in key categories (i.e., t-shirts, headwear, jerseys, and certain non-apparel categories), applicants for some categories will receive a higher level of scrutiny from IMGCL and the institutions in the application review process.
- Nebraska Exclusives:
- Mid-Tier/Better Exclusive – includes Men’s T-Shirts and Fleece
- Exclusive Apparel Program – includes Men’s and Women’s T-Shirts, Men’s and Women’s Fleece, Men’s and Women’s Outerwear, Men’s and Women’s Loungewear, Men’s and Women’s Fashion, Youth, Infant/Toddler
- Exclusive Headwear Program
- Exclusive Franchise Headwear Program
- Exclusive Mass Headwear Program
- Exclusive Jersey Program
- Exclusive Loungewear Program
- Exclusive Mass Program
- Exclusive Performance Apparel Program
- Nebraska Exclusives:
- Important Note: Several institutions have pre-existing exclusive agreements in certain product categories and distribution channels that preclude them from considering other vendors. Also, because of existing saturation in key categories (i.e., t-shirts, headwear, jerseys, and certain non-apparel categories), applicants for some categories will receive a higher level of scrutiny from IMGCL and the institutions in the application review process.
- Applicants that excel in a majority of the following criteria are more likely to be granted a license by the institution, but it is not guaranteed. All decisions will come from the Approval Committee.
- Business Plan
- Demonstrate strong brand equity or leadership status in a product category.
- Employ dedicated staff to manage the day-to-day licensing process and supply chain compliance.
- Demonstrate a commitment and ability to invest in the collegiate segment of the market.
- Show a proven track record and sales history with other collegiate/professional/entertainment licensors.
- Demonstrate commitment to responsible sourcing and production of products throughout the supply chain.
- Maintain monthly reports on sales, royalty, etc.
- Marketing Plan
- Offer a new or unique product or an incremental means of distribution. Provide proven production and distribution capabilities.
- Detail significant investments in retail, consumer, digital media and print media marketing efforts.
- Provide established relationships with major collegiate retailers.
- Financial Commitment
- Maintain well-established track record as a successful business.
- Invest in internal infrastructure and systems to manage approval and royalty reporting processes.
- Insurance/License Costs
- Administration fees – $100-1,000
- Holograms -- $50+
- Liability insurance -- $200-4,000
- Logos on demand -- $50-500
- FLA -- $100-10,000
- Advance fees
- $1,000 – Category A (Apparel)
- $500 – Category B (Non-Apparel)
- Production
- Quality products and designs
- Unique products and designs
- Demonstrate commitment to responsible sourcing and production of products throughout the supply chain.
- Business Plan
IF APPROVED, IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS
- Obtain insurance and provide IMG College Licensing with a certificate of insurance and additional insured endorsement
- All IMG College Licensing licensees, regardless of products or potential risk, are required to obtain $2 million in general aggregate and a minimum of $1 million in general insurance, including product liability and other coverage. Insurance is required to help protect the licensee, the institutions, and IMGCL in the case of any claims of damages or defects related to the collegiate licensed merchandise as well as other liability claims.
- Please do not purchase insurance until you are notified by IMGCL that your product and/or application has been approved.
- Register for Logos on Demand
- Submit artwork via BrandManager360
- Provide IMG College Licensing with Authorized Manufacturers Agreements from all applicable suppliers/finishers that will be used throughout the product manufacturing process
- Authorized Manufacturers Agreement: The primary responsibility of the authorized manufacturer is to follow the product guidelines provided by the licensee, maintain the required liability insurance and to limit production and distribution to the CLC licensee. In some cases, the licensee may request that the authorized manufacturer apply certain desired labeling and/or designs, but the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the product is properly labeled and approved prior to distribution into the marketplace falls on the licensee. An AMA can be obtained directly from the licensee. It is important that the AMA is signed by both the licensee and authorized manufacturer/factory prior to it being sent to CLC for full execution.
- Example: Company A is a licensee with the University of Nebraska to make headwear, but Company A only supplies the logos. Company B is the hat manufacturer that Company A buys its hats from before placing the marks on the hat. Therefore, Company A is the licensee and Company B is the Authorized Manufacturer.
- Authorized Manufacturers Agreement: The primary responsibility of the authorized manufacturer is to follow the product guidelines provided by the licensee, maintain the required liability insurance and to limit production and distribution to the CLC licensee. In some cases, the licensee may request that the authorized manufacturer apply certain desired labeling and/or designs, but the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the product is properly labeled and approved prior to distribution into the marketplace falls on the licensee. An AMA can be obtained directly from the licensee. It is important that the AMA is signed by both the licensee and authorized manufacturer/factory prior to it being sent to CLC for full execution.
- Fully disclose factory site locations for vendor/suppliers, including your own business location, to IMG College Licensing
- Pre-order “Officially Licensed Collegiate Product” hologram labels or hangtags through J Patton (labels will be shipped once the License Agreement is fully executed by IMGCL)
- 1 – 5 Brands = $50 per institution
- 6 – 50 Brands = $45 per institution
- 51 – 100 Brands = $40 per institution
- 101 – 120 Brands = $35 per institution
- 120 – 150 Brands = $30 per institution
- 150+ Brands = $25 per institution**
- **Logos on Demand subscription packages will be capped at $5,000.
- Provide finished product samples for the applicable Institutions that maintain this requirement
- Register with the Fair Labor Association (“FLA”) if obtaining a license for one or more FLA affiliated Institutions
- Review and sign the Special Agreement regarding Labor Codes of Conduct
- Pay royalty advances via check for all applicable Institutions
- Nebraska Advance Fees:
- Apparel: $1,000
- Non-Apparel: $500
- Nebraska Advance Fees:
- Obtain insurance and provide IMG College Licensing with a certificate of insurance and additional insured endorsement
LONG-TERM REQUIREMENTS
- Obtain institutional approval on all products, designs, labels, marketing & distribution plans, and advertising/promotional materials prior to any production, distribution or sale
- Maximize distribution of collegiate products in the retail channels permitted by the license agreement
- Pay royalties (standard is 16% but varies depending on product category), including annual royalty guarantees, due to the respective institutions in a timely and accurate manner
- Ensure that licensee and others within its supply chain manufacture products in a responsible manner that is consistent with the institutions’ workplace codes of conduct, monitoring and remediation standards
- Use IMG College Licensing systems throughout the term of license agreement
OVERALL CONSIDERATION: IS THIS A GOOD BUSINESS DECISION FOR YOU?