General name and trademark guidelines

Rice University’s name, logo, seal, mascot and other identity assets have intrinsic, reputational and marketing value to the university and its alumni. To protect them and ensure they are used appropriately, the following policies and guidelines
have been established. For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, which is charged with the responsibility for protecting the university’s name, identity assets and reputation, at 713-348-6280 or pubaffrs@rice.edu.

• Rice University’s name and official marks are protected by copyright and may not be used without permission, modified in any way or incorporated into any other name or mark.

• Prior written permission from the Office of Public Affairs or the Athletics Department is required for any use of Rice University’s name and official marks.

a.  If permission is granted, the trademarks must be separate and distinct from each other, and the Rice
University trademark may not be overshadowed or diminished in any way by another trademark. All uses
must be reviewed and approved by the vice president of Public Affairs or the Athletics Department.

b.  For use of Rice University’s official athletic names and marks, contact the Athletics Department for permission.

• The university seal, also known as the academic seal, is reserved for use by the Rice Board of Trustees and the president and may not be used for any other purpose, including on promotional material.

• All uses of Rice University’s trademarks must incorporate the appropriate trademark designation symbols. Only the Office of Public Affairs and the Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Office of the General Counsel, may claim copyright or trademark rights to university trademarks or seek to register any design that incorporates university trademarks.

• Rice University will not approve the use of its name or trademarks in conjunction with certain types of products, services or companies. These include, but are not limited to, alcohol; tobacco; illegal products of any kind, including drugs; inherently dangerous products, including weapons, firearms or explosives; sexually suggestive products; products that depict racist, hateful, demeaning or degrading language or statements; products that use profanity; gambling-related products; products that contain statements impugning other universities; products that present an unacceptable risk ofliability or that are harmful to the mission or integrity of the institution; and products that contain another entity’s registered trademark, unless explicit written permission has been granted from that entity. Please check with the Office of Public Affairs if there are any questions regarding the use of the Rice name or a Rice trademark.

• Rice University’s name and marks may not be used in any manner that discriminates or implies discrimination any way that would be a violation of Rice University’s anti-discrimination policies or practices.

• Any and all uses of names, numbers and images of student–athletes must comply with Rice University policies and NCAA regulations. 

• Rice University’s name and official marks may not be incorporated into off-campus business telephone numbers, Internet addresses or domain names. Nor may they be used by private and/or corporate businesses in the sale of commercial products or advertising.

Licensing requirements 

• A license must be obtained prior to any external, commercial use of the university’s name, identity assets (including identifiable landmarks) or trademarks, including manufacturers, retailers or service providers. Contact the Athletics Department or Public Affairs for more information.

• Prior permission is required for any individual, organization or company wishing to use Rice University’s name, identity assets (including identifiable landmarks) or trademarks in any noncommercial manner.

Media and advertising use

 

• News media are not required to obtain a license when using current trademarks to convey news and information.

•  Those wishing to use Rice University’s name, identity assets (including identifiable landmarks) or trademarks in conjunction with advertising a product or service must obtain prior permission from the vice president of Public Affairs or a designate. The use must be reviewed and approved prior to first use and each subsequent use.

Endorsements 

Rice University welcomes mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses and other organizations. However, to protect Rice’s reputation and avoid misunderstanding, please use the following guidelines when referring to Rice. For questions, contact the Office of Public Affairs.

• Rice University does not endorse or do testimonials for products or services.
  
   
• The academic seal may not be used in connection with promotional material.
  
   
•  Promotional announcements that identify a unit at Rice University as a customer must be specific and accurate (e.g., it is not “Rice University” that is purchasing software, but the “Rice University Information Technology Department”).
  
   
•  Accurate statements which describe a fact but do not express an endorsement may be allowable with advance permission from the Office of Public Affairs (e.g., “Rice University’s Telecommunications Department is a client of X Technology Group or has purchased X product”).
  
   
•  Photographs of identifiable Rice University landmarks, buildings, statues, etc., which imply an endorsement of a product or service are not permissible (e.g., an advertisement for a new car parked in front of Lovett Hall).