FAMU Will Protect Logos and Fans by Dispatching Enforcement Team in Tallahassee (Fla.) this Saturday
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Alabama State University prepare to face off in Saturday’s home opener, officials at FAMU, in conjunction with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), are making preparations to rid the marketplace of counterfeit and unlicensed merchandise.
“We want to make sure the university benefits from the sale of merchandise using our trademark,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We applaud the city for its support of our efforts. We believe that proper sale of registered merchandise can generate much needed dollars for athletics.”
CLC and the University, along with local law enforcement officials, will patrol the Tallahassee marketplace in search of counterfeiters selling “knock-off” merchandise. All counterfeit merchandise is subject to seizure. The University benefits monetarily from the sale of licensed merchandise, receiving 7.5% of the purchase price.
"I fully support the necessary efforts of Dr. Ammons, to protect the historic and priceless brand of Florida A&M University,” said City of Tallahassee Mayor John Marks.
Florida Statute 831.05 (vending goods or services with counterfeit trademarks or service marks) makes it a third-degree felony for the possession or sell of merchandise with counterfeit trademarks valued at $1,000 or more and a first-degree misdemeanor if merchandise is valued under $1,000. Violations will result in the confiscation of all illegal merchandise and can result in arrest.
“Those selling unlicensed merchandise seek to benefit off the popularity of the FAMU indicia,” said Sabrina Thompson, coordinator of licensing at FAMU. “It’s our job to protect legitimate vendors, fans, students and alumni from falling prey to counterfeiters looking to make a quick buck.”
As for purchasing FAMU merchandise, consumers should always look for the following characteristics to ensure the merchandise they purchase is officially licensed:
• All officially licensed merchandise should display the “Officially Licensed Collegiate Product” Hologram somewhere on the product or hangtag.
• The merchandise should depict the FAMU logos and marks in a tasteful manner, as the University does not approve distasteful designs.
• The tag on the garment should be intact. A torn or missing tag is evidence of a second-hand garment, one that probably would not meet the stringent quality standards in place at each university.
• All merchandise should bear the name of the manufacturer somewhere on the product, either in the form of a hangtag, a neck label, or screen-printed directly on the garment.
• All merchandise should have the appropriate trademark designations (i.e. TM, ?) next to a specific name or design.
The Collegiate Licensing Company is the official licensing agent for FAMU.
About The Collegiate Licensing Company
CLC is a division of global sports and entertainment company IMG. Founded in 1981, CLC is the oldest and largest collegiate licensing agency in the U.S. and represents nearly 200 colleges, universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, the Heisman Trophy and the NCAA. Its mission is to be the guiding force in collegiate trademark licensing and one of the top sports licensing firms in the country. Headquartered in Atlanta, CLC provides full-service capabilities in brand protection, brand management and brand development. For more information, visit www.clc.com or www.imgworld.com.
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