Brand Protection/Licensing:
High Point University’s licensing program ensures that our brand identity is properly represented on products and services marketed to both the University community and the public. The licensing program is responsible for determining if a product and/or design are consistent with the goals and image of High Point University. The program also ensures the quality, content, production, and distribution of products meet High Point University’s standards. High Point University contracts with Affinity Licensing to help coordinate its licensing program.
Find a Licensed Vendor
Any item that uses a University trademark, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, must be purchased through an officially licensed vendor.
To search for a licensed vendor, visit affinitylicensing.com. Under Find Licensed Products, click Start Your Search. From there, type High Point University under Organization and enter the product type under Search Product Category. A list of licensed vendors for that product will appear.
Become a Licensed Vendor
To become a licensed vendor, first register on the Affinity portal. Once approved, an invitation will be sent to set up a login and password. Vendors may then apply for a license. There is an annual fee of $100 and royalty fees if products are sold. There are no royalty fees for giveaways and internal usage, see below for details.
For additional information, visit the Affinity Licensing website, or contact:
Nick Konawalik
Regional Brand Manager
Affinity Licensing
(336) 422-6035
Types of Licenses
Retail License
This is the most frequently requested license, which allows for the production of emblematic merchandise, which will be sold by the licensee to retail establishments. This license is issued by Affinity. Sample products are reviewed by Affinity for quality and safety standards prior to submission to the University for final approval. The University has established a standard royalty rate of 10% that is included in the wholesale prices charged by licensees. High Point University and Affinity reserve the right to adjust this program and the respective fees as market trends permit.
Internal Usage License
A company looking to provide emblematic products for internal use by the University may be considered for this license. The company will still need to apply with Affinity and follow all policies set forth by High Point University and Affinity, including artwork submission and approval; however, the standard royalty percentages and fees may not apply. A holder of this license is not allowed to sell any products to any party with the exception of High Point University.
High Point University licensees are encouraged, within the stated guidelines, to be creative in the application of High Point University trademarks. All designs are subject to approval by Affinity and High Point University prior to production.
A trademark is any logo, symbol, slogan, word or other element that may be used to identify a brand. These marks are only used with permission of the university and are managed through Affinity Licensing. For example, our name, “High Point University” is a registered trademark of the university and requires approval prior to use on materials or merchandise.
Any individual or company that wishes to receive High Point University’s express permission to use any or all its trademarks/logos on products or for services sold in the marketplace, whether wholesale, retail, or online. Other activities, such as some noncommercial use of trademarks/logos, may or may not need to be licensed. Some activities may constitute fair use or free speech so as not to require a license. Advice in that regard should be sought from your own legal counsel.
A decision on any license request will depend on the nature and extent of the use being applied for, the number of trademarks involved, the number and variety of products for which the trademark or trademarks will be used, and other possible factors, such as whether the University believes there is a need to seek legal advice on the application. However, in most cases, an answer will be provided in 30 days or less.
UT will not license activity that it believes would disparage the University or any of its trademarks, or would be libelous, slanderous, scandalous, offensive, vulgar, constitute an unfair trade practice, or otherwise reflect negatively on the University. Some activities may constitute fair use or free speech so as not to require a license. Advice in that regard should be sought from your own legal counsel.
First register on the Affinity portal. Once approved, an invitation will be sent to set up a log-in and password. Vendors may then apply for a license. There is an annual fee of $100 and royalty fees if products are sold. There are no royalty fees for giveaways and internal usage; see below for details.
Yes. All art designs must be submitted and approved by High Point University’s Office of Communications, or through a university contract.
Any use of High Point University’s marks with other trademarks must be approved by the Office of Communication, or through a university contract.
Check the Licensed Vendors list located on the Office of Communications website. This list is frequently updated and does not include businesses who may be operating under a different business name. For questions regarding a particular business, contact the Office of Communications.
There is an annual fee of $100 and royalty fees of 12% if products are sold. There are no royalty fees for giveaways and internal usage.
Yes. All items using High Point University marks must be produced by a licensed vendor whether they are for resale or not.
Any trademark that identifies or is associated with High Point University may not be used without prior, expressed, written permission from the Office of Communication.
Typically, the review process is two to five business days. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with High Point University policies.
A list of licensees can be obtained through affinitylicensing.com or the Office of Communication.
No. At no time can High Point University marks be altered. Altering the mark would hurt its integrity. This would dilute the strength and value of High Point University’s marks.
Branding Approval
Final design approval for all logo, project, and merchandise designs. Please note this form is for completed designs. If you need a logo or design created, a request can be made through the Design Services form.
Design Services
This form is for design and printing requests for HPU’s Design Lab.
All schools, departments, and student organizations desiring to give tangible personal property or monetary gifts should submit a gift request through the form below. The gift request will be reviewed by the Vice President of Financial Affairs. If the Office of Financial Affairs approves the use of the funds for the requested gifts, the Office of Communications will review the requested gift type, proposed branding and selected vendor. In order to make the greatest impact and best use of University funds, the Office of Communications may deem an item in the current gifting inventory to be more suitable than ordering a new gift. If the Office of Communications has an item that is accepted by the department, the department will be charged a per piece price through monthly allocations prepared by the Business Office.
If approved for additional gifts beyond the University gifting strategy, consider the following questions when choosing an item:
- Can the item be used in a way that it will reach an audience beyond the individual recipient? (A t-shirt can be worn for anyone to see, where a paperweight will never leave the person’s office.)
- Is the quality and appearance of the item consistent with the word “extraordinary”?
- Does the item have a value or will it be seen as a trinket of little value?
In the event the Office of Communications approves the purchase of a gift directly by the department, they will provide the department with some guidance on an appropriate gift and then instruct the department on how to select an approved vendor and place the order through Unimarket. The branding of the item will be approved when the vendor submits the item through our branding partner, Affinity Licensing.
View Warehouse Gifting Items Available With Pricing
Ordering from a vendor?
On the Affinity site, you can search for item or company!
Affinity Licensing Approved Vendors for High Point University
This Brand Guide is subject to change. For questions, please reach out to the Office of Communications via email at [email protected].