University Trademarks
Girl browsing through hokie gear at a store
Jump to a section: About | Virginia Tech's Trademarks | Logo Use Guidelines
About Trademarks
All words, names, symbols, devices, or any combination that an internal unit of the university would like to seek trademark protection for must be done through the Office of Licensing and Trademarks. Marketing and Brand Management promotes and protects the Virginia Tech brand through the appropriate use of the university’s trademarks. The Office of Licensing and Trademarks approves the use of the trademarks and administers a licensed collegiate printed and promotional products program with the Collegiate Licensing Company for the commercial use of trademarks on products. Permission is required to use the Virginia Tech trademarks on all printed and promotional products, including but not limited to those purchased for internal use, giveaways, promotion, display, and retail.
Use of any university trademark that is deemed by the Office of Licensing and Trademarks to be in poor taste is prohibited. Use of university trademarks in conjunction with political or religious messaging or symbolism is prohibited, except when used by student organizations officially recognized by Student Affairs. Use of university trademarks to endorse another brand is prohibited. For other prohibitions, see the licensing guidelines.
In all approved uses of Virginia Tech trademarks, the appropriate registered or trademark designation must be included.
For complete information about the external use of university trademarks when the external entity is either affiliated with the university or not, visit the licensing guidelines.
Doing business on Virginia Tech's behalf
When an external entity is contracted by Virginia Tech to use the university’s trademarks in communications that provide a business service to the university, permission is granted on a case-by-case basis. Permission for the use must be requested before contracting with the external entity. To request permission for an external entity to use Virginia Tech trademarks to do business on the university’s behalf, send the request and proposed contract to vtbrand@vt.edu.
If permission is granted to allow the external entity to use the Virginia Tech trademarks to do business on the university’s behalf, the requesting college or division will bear the responsibility of ensuring the entity adheres to the Virginia Tech Brand Guidelines and licensing guidelines. External entities that are doing business on Virginia Tech’s behalf but are not contractually engaged by the university are not allowed to use Virginia Tech trademarks.
Alternate Horizontal Logo
TIP: The vertical logo is preferred on most promotional products. The horizontal logo is preferred in more formal applications.
Wordmarks
The registration of a wordmark provides broad rights and basically protects the text of the wordmark regardless of what style, font, or configuration it appears in. Registered and trademark symbols need not be used by internal communicators in text. Use the registered or trademark symbol on promotional products and displays, regardless of quantity ordered or intended use.
- Virginia Tech®
- Hokies®
- HokieTM
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University®
- HokieBirdTM
- Fighting GobblersTM
- Fightin’ GobblersTM
University Seal
The formal university seal is reserved for internal ceremonies; watermarks on official documents, on diplomas, on building plaques; and in other special circumstances.
TIP: Some of Virginia Tech’s marks require different designations (TM vs. ®) depending on the product category. For guidance, contact licensing@vt.edu. To request to use the seal, contact vtbrand@vt.edu.
Athletic Logos
The athletic logos are registered and protected by the Office of Licensing and Trademarks. As with the university logo, the Office of Licensing and Trademarks approves each use of athletic logos and administers a licensed collegiate promotional products program with Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) for commercial use on products. The athletic program is categorized as an individual brand within the university’s architecture. Athletics branding is not approved for use by brand extensions, sub-brands, any other individual brand, or endorsed brands.
NOTE: The GIG font is an integral part of Athletics’ brand and should not be used by anyone outside of the Athletics Department.
The HokieBird and Other Spirit Logos
The HokieBird and all other Virginia Tech spirit logos are registered and protected by the Office of Licensing and Trademarks. As with the university logo, the Office of Licensing and Trademarks approves every use of the HokieBird and other spirit logos and administers a licensed collegiate promotional products program with CLC for commercial use on products. The HokieBird and other spirit logos may not be used by academic units. The HokieBird and other spirit logos are approved for use by student organizations as described in the licensing guidelines. For comprehensive guidelines for spirit logo use, please see the licensing guidelines.
Vintage Logos
Vintage logos are reserved for the College Vault licensee program and may not be used by student organizations, brand extensions, sub-brands, individual brands, or endorsed brands. Occasionally, vintage logos may be used on commemorative uniforms for varsity athletics with permission from the Office of Licensing and Trademarks.
Tartan
The Scottish Register of Tartans includes an official Virginia Tech tartan pattern of Chicago maroon and burnt orange.
TIP: For all questions about using a Virginia Tech trademark, please contact the Office of Licensing and Trademarks at licensing@vt.edu.
Size
The size requirements shown allow for accurate reproduction of the details in both the “VT” and the text of the logo.
Proportion
The proportion of the logo must remain fixed to the existing scale and should not change horizontally or vertically.
Color
Protected area around the logo for print
Maintain a protected area equal to twice the height of the Virginia Tech wordmark around all sides of the logos.
Protected area around the logo for web
Maintain a protected area equal to the height of the Virginia Tech wordmark around all sides of the logos.
Using the VT brandmark or the Virginia Tech wordmark alone
The university logo is made up of two elements: the brandmark, which is the university VT symbol, and the wordmark, which is the custom design of the Virginia Tech name.
The VT brandmark may be used on its own with the trademark ® designation in situations where size or design considerations necessitate it, with permission from the Office of Licensing and Trademarks; anywhere when the entire Virginia Tech logo is also present elsewhere on the item; on promotional products that also display the athletic VT; and on social media profile photos/thumbnails for official university accounts.
The wordmark may be used on its own with the trademark designation anywhere when the entire logo is also present elsewhere on the item.
Logo Color Variation
When reproducing on color backgrounds, use an appropriate one- or two-color version of the logo. Ensure appropriate contrast between the logo and the background color. Avoid placing the logo onto busy backgrounds.
Solid orange, solid maroon, white, grey, or black logos are acceptable one-color process printing options.
For full information about brand colors and color combinations, visit the Color Guide.
TIP: The logo may be produced in copper, gold, or silver inks or foils. The logo may also be embossed or debossed.
NOTE: The Office of Licensing and Trademarks will require color combination changes for readability when needed.