Harvard University and Harvard Law School

Logo/Trademark Guidelines

Policies set forth by the University regarding the use of Harvard trademarks

 

Harvard Name and Trademark Guidelines

Harvard University is increasingly concerned about the ways its name and symbols (such as "Harvard" and the "VERITAS shield") are used by third parties. The Trademark Program protects these trademarks globally and licenses their use by third parties. The University’s consistent use of its trademarks strengthens its ability to prevent unauthorized uses. HLSA Clubs and SIGs can help by notifying the Trademark Program of unauthorized uses of the Harvard name.

As part of the Harvard University community, HLSA Clubs and SIGs must adhere to University policies regarding trademark use. The policy, "Policy on the Use of Harvard Names and Insignias," is available on the Harvard Trademark Program's webpage.
 

 
 

Any use of the Harvard Law School name, shield, logo, or trademark requires prior written permission from HLS and/or the University Trademark Program. In addition to what is set forth in the Provost’s policy, the following rules apply to all HLSA Clubs and SIGs:

 

1. All HLSA Clubs and SIGs recognize that Harvard's various trademarks, including but not limited to "Harvard", "Harvard University", the "VERITAS shield", "Harvard Law School", the "Harvard Law School shield", "Harvard Club", "Harvard Law School Club", "Harvard Law School Association", "HLSA of ", "HLSA", "Harvard Law Society", and "Harvard Law Club" names and all other University trademarks (names, shields, and logos) are the sole property of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of the University. All HLSA Clubs and SIGs further recognize that any marks authorized by Harvard University to be used by the Harvard Law School Association Clubs or HLSA SIGs are used with the written permission of and under license from the University.

 

2. HLSA Clubs and SIGs may not alter the Harvard "VERITAS shield", "Harvard Law School shield", "HLSA logo", or "Harvard Law School logo" (aka HLS Name or HLS wordmark) in any way. HLS Clubs and SIGs may not create their own custom logos. A standardized logo or wordmark will be provided to each HLSA Club or SIG by the Harvard Law School Association, which may not be altered in any way.

 

3. Except where special permission has been granted, all HLSA Clubs and SIGs understand that they may only use the following names and shields "HLSA of [Club Name]", "HLSA [SIG Name]", "HLSA", "Harvard Law School Association", "HLS Association", and "HLSA Logo".

 

4. HLSA Clubs and SIGs must obtain special written permission to use "Harvard Law School shield", "Harvard Law School logo" (aka HLS Name or HLS wordmark), and "VERITAS shield". Please get in touch with hlsa@law.harvard.edu with this request.

 

5. HLSA Clubs and SIGs are authorized to use (a) Harvard Law School as part of their name along with their name (hereinafter, the "Authorized Marks"), provided that they conform to the following naming conventions:

  1. HLSA of [Club Name] (Club name is the geographic location)
  2. HLSA [SIG Name] (SIG name being a description of the alumni audience the SIG caters to)
  3. Harvard Law School Association of...
 

6. HLSA Clubs and SIGs activities should always be described as undertaken by the "Harvard Law School Association (HLSA) of [Club Name]" or "Harvard Law School Association (HLSA) [SIG Name]" and not by "Harvard Law School", "Harvard", or "Harvard University".

 

7. The Authorized Marks may only be used to identify the Club or SIG on the Club or SIG's official websites, social media channels, signage, letterhead, and some products (as defined below). Permission must be obtained from the Harvard Trademark Program to use these marks for any purpose other than noted above or to use any University trademark other than those noted above.

 

8. HLSA Clubs and SIGs may create certain kinds of typical insignia items (such as t-shirts, bags, mugs, pens, etc.) bearing the Authorized Marks to be distributed based on the following guidelines:

  1. HLSA Clubs and SIGs may sell insignia items bearing the Authorized Marks only to their members.
  2. HLSA Clubs and SIGs may give away insignia items bearing the Authorized Marks to their members or donors.
  3. HLSA Clubs and SIGs may not sell any items bearing the University's trademarks, including the Authorized Marks, to the general public.
  4. The Authorized Marks may not be used in conjunction with any other entity's marks or brands, including those of donors or sponsors (no "co-branding").
 

9. HLSA Clubs and SIGs must contact the HLS Alumni Relations Office at hlsa@law.harvard.edu before creating items, merchandise, or giveaways utilizing the Authorized Marks. The Harvard Trademark Program has a detailed approval process for making these materials with Authorized Marks, which approved Harvard University licensees or vendors must produce the product. The HLS Alumni Relations Office will walk the requesting HLSA Clubs and SIGs through this approval process with the Harvard Trademark Program. It is recommended that all requests be placed three months before the desired item is in hand.

 

10. Permission must first be obtained in writing from the Trademark Program to use the Authorized Marks for any purpose other than those permitted under these guidelines or to use any of Harvard's trademarks other than the Authorized Marks. In cases where an HLSA Club or SIG feels it has a situation that should be considered an exception to any of the above rules, please contact the HLS Alumni Relations Office at hlsa@law.harvard.edu.

 

11. Registration of any of Harvard's trademarks anywhere in the world, including "HLSA of , HLSA , Harvard Law Society of, and Harvard Law School Association of, etc., can only be done with the prior written permission of the Trademark Program in consultation with Harvard's local trademark counsel. Any such registration, if approved, must be owned by and registered to the President and Fellows of Harvard College...".