Trademark Licensing
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Home>Trademark Licensing>Correct Use of Marks, Colors, Trademarks, and Logos
Introduction
NU Trademark Licensing Policy
Label Awareness
Correct Use of Marks, Colors, Trademarks, & Logos
Trademark Licensing Services
History of NU Seal and WIllie the WildCat
Licensing Agents
Licensed Manufacturers
Local Retailers
Statement on FLA & WRC

 

Correct Use of Marks, Colors, Trademarks, & Logos

The Trademark Licensing Office is responsible for considering the use of Northwestern University marks on products, including the appropriateness of the use of University marks as well as the quality of products, legal liabilities, production, and distribution. Before the University's name or mark is reproduced, whether the imprinted item is for internal use or for resale, the product and the associated artwork must be approved by the Trademark Licensing Office.

The following rules shall be used in determining the correct use of University marks and colors:

Northwestern University Seal and Shield

  • Northwestern University's official seal is a single unit; the two elements of the seal and the words "Northwestern University" are always to be presented together, in the relationship.
  • Neither the name Northwestern, Northwestern University, nor any design may be imposed on the seal.
  • No other marks may be used with the University seal.
  • The NU seal must be used on a solid background. The seal must be white, purple, gray or black. Exceptions must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Trademark Office. The wording must be very readable with maximum color contrast.
  • The official colors of Northwestern are purple and white.
  • The seal in the logo should never appear smaller than 1/2 inch in diameter. Do not crop the logo or bleed it off a page. Allow a reasonable amount of space around the logo.
  • The typeface used in the seal and the signature is a version of Goudy that has been altered slightly for improved reproduction and legibility at all sizes. Core pieces of the identity system (stationery, signage, etc.) employ Univers Bold Condensed as a contrasting sans-serif typeface. Northwestern's identity system has been designed to work within a wide variety of design styles and implementations. No restrictions exist concerning the typefaces that may be used in conjunction with the logo.

USAGE:

Do

  • Show the logo as one color (purple, if possible; if not, in the strongest color available -- i.e., in a brochure printed in black ink, show the logo in black)
  • Maintain the orientation of the logo
  • Treat the logo elements as a single unit
  • Keep the logo whole and intact

    Don't

  • Tint or screen the logo or make different elements of the logo different colors

  • Tilt or rotate the logo Separate the logo elements or change the orientation of one to the other

  • Bleed the logo off the page or crop it

  • Print type or images over the logo or use the logo as a background element

Color Use

  • Purple: PMS 267 (PMS: Pantone Matching System)
  • Gray: PMS 408
  • White
  • Black.
  • Exceptions must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Trademark Office.

For print use
Spot color (coated and uncoated paper): PMS 267
Process color (CMYK): 90c, 100m, 0y, 0k

For Web use
RGB color: r = 82, g = 0, b = 99
Hexadecimal: 520063

Northwestern University "N"

  • When used alone, and not as part of the word Northwestern, the University's stylized, registered "N" must be used. No other "N" will be approved by Northwestern University.
  • The University's stylized, registered "N" should be white, purple, or black. Exceptions must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Trademark Office. The "N" must be very readable with maximum color contrast. Gray accent is acceptable.

Wildcat Logos

  • The N-Cat head must be used as a unit. The name Northwestern or Northwestern University, Northwestern Wildcats, or Wildcats may be used with the N-Cat head.

Clothing and Manufacturer's Logos

  • Manufacturer's logos will be limited to one inch (1") square. Exceptions must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Trademark Office.
  • No more than two manufacturer's logos may be placed on any item of clothing. No more than one manufacturer's logo may appear on the front side of the clothing. No more than one manufacturer's logo may appear on the back side of the clothing.

Northwestern Logo Sheet (PDF format)

Use of University marks by the news media for informational purposes is not subject to Trademark Licensing. Schedule cards and photographs of campus scenes are not subject to licensing unless they feature the University's name or marks and are exploited commercially. These items will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.