Michigan State University Trademarks and Licensing (UTL) has developed a crafter's license program, known as Community Connect, to help benefit the local craftsperson. This program provides crafters with an opportunity to use their creativity without infringing on the university’s trademarks, while still allowing the university to maintain the integrity of its brand. This license is ideal for fans and alumni who are interested in producing small quantities of merchandise.
A self-employed individual of great skill in the manual arts who produces items that are all or partly (more than 50%) made by hand or with a hands-on process in the home and selling/distributing to individual consumers via events or direct sale. A craftsperson does not utilize any fully automated processes and has no paid employees.
To apply, go to Direct Licensing Hub and click "Apply for license." UTL and CLC will review the application and products for approval. If approved, the crafter will be notified by CLC. The license is good for one calendar year, starting from the date of an executed agreement and expiring at the end of the same calendar year in which the agreement was executed. No mail applications will be reviewed.
A license agreement will be sent to the crafter via Adobe Sign for signature once the applications and photos/samples are reviewed and approved. The signed agreement should be returned to CLC with a check made payable to Collegiate Licensing Company for the annual licensing fee.
A $100 annual licensing fee will be charged by UTL on an annual basis. Crafters are allowed to sell up to 400 units or $2,000 in sales revenue annually.
Crafters, once approved, will be provided with an "Officially Licensed" certificate to use at craft fairs, on webpages, etc., when selling products.
Items that are unique, handmade, and of an underrepresented category are eligible. Categories that are not permitted include, but are not limited to:
This license allows for sales to individual consumers only and does not allow for wholesale or third-party vendor/distributor sales. All items must be approved by UTL prior to listing or displaying for sale. Samples may be required for some items. The craftspeople can only sell products at the following locations if the crafter's contact information is provided and the license certificate is displayed:
In accordance with university policy, no solicitation of sales may be made on campus at tailgate events.
Crafters must submit proposed artwork for all products for approval prior to production and sale of any items. Submit designs through the crafter's portal, where they will be routed to UTL for review. You will receive detailed instructions for this process once your application is approved.
Please email communityconnect@clc.com if you have questions or need additional information.