Policy Summary

Amherst College possesses registered trademarks and other intellectual property rights in the marks that distinctively identify the college (collectively the “Amherst Marks”), including, but not limited to: “Amherst College,” “Amherst College Mammoths,” “Amherst Mammoths,” the mammoth logo, the Amherst College seal, and the word “Amherst” when used in the typeface specified in the college’s Visual Identity Toolkit and/or when used in the college’s signature purple and white colors. This policy governs use of the Amherst Marks.

Applicability

This policy applies to all uses of the Amherst Marks by faculty, staff, students, and third parties.

Definitions

Commercial Use – for purposes of this policy, “commercial use” includes, but is not limited to, uses that are intended to, or otherwise do, result in the direct or indirect generation of sales or income. A use constitutes “commercial use” under this policy even if it: 1) does not result in a profit; and/or 2) benefits a non-profit organization other than Amherst College.

Non-commercial – for purposes of this policy, “non-commercial use” is defined as use of the Amherst Marks in a manner that is not intended to, and does not, result in the direct or indirect generation of sales or income.

Student Group – for purposes of this policy, the term “student group” has the definition set forth in the Amherst College Student Code of Conduct. Groups that do not meet this definition are considered third party users under this policy.

Policy

The following rules apply to different categories of use of the Amherst Marks. Any use of the Amherst Marks other than as described below is prohibited without advance written permission from the college’s Office of Communications.

Rules Applicable to All Uses of Amherst Marks

  1. Use of the Amherst Marks is strictly prohibited when such use: 1) will likely cause confusion about the source of any product or service; 2) implies sponsorship or endorsement by, or affiliation with, Amherst College without prior authorization; or 3) disparages or discredits Amherst College or any of its trustees, students, faculty, or staff.
  2. Registration of any internet domain names containing any Amherst Marks by anyone who is not doing so as part of their official duties at the college is also prohibited.
  3. All uses of Amherst Marks must comply with the usage parameters set forth in the Visual Identity Toolkit, unless otherwise agreed in advance by the college’s Office of Communications.

Rules Applicable to Specific Subcategories of Users and Uses

In addition to complying with the rules applicable to all uses of Amherst Marks as set forth above, specific subcategories must comply with additional rules as follows:

  1. Use by current Amherst College faculty, staff, or student groups for non-commercial purposes

Use of the Amherst Marks by current Amherst College faculty, staff, or student groups is permitted provided that such use: a) does not involve the production or distribution of goods or services; and b) is otherwise consistent with the mission of the college and the role of the office, department, or student group using the Amherst Marks.

Examples of permissible uses under this category: student group websites, staff/faculty business cards and email signature blocks, and departmental t-shirts distributed free-of-charge.

  1. Use by current Amherst College alumni for non-commercial purposes

Use of the Amherst Marks by current Amherst College alumni is permitted provided that such use: a) does not involve the production or distribution of goods or services; and b) is otherwise consistent with the mission of the college; and c) occurs in connection with officially-sanctioned or -sponsored alumni activities.

  1. Use by current faculty, staff, or student groups for commercial purposes

Use of the Amherst Marks by current Amherst College faculty, staff, or student groups for commercial purposes is permitted provided that: a) the design has been approved in advance by the college’s Office of Communications (commassets@amherst.edu); and b) the faculty member, staff member, or student group leader has signed the college’s simplified license agreement. The simplified license agreement will generally not require the payment of royalties to the college.

Examples of permissible uses under this category: t-shirts sold by a student group or department as part of a fundraiser.

  1. Use by individual students for commercial or non-commercial purposes

Use of the Amherst Marks by current Amherst College students (whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes) is permitted provided that: a) the design has been approved in advance by the college’s Office of Communications (commassets@amherst.edu); and b) the student has signed the college’s simplified license agreement. The simplified license agreement will generally not require the payment of royalties for non-commercial uses but generally will require payment of royalties to the college for commercial uses.

Examples of permissible uses under this category: t-shirts designed and sold by an individual student.

  1. Use by third parties

Use of the Amherst Marks by any third party (i.e., anyone other than current students, faculty, staff, student group, or alumni of Amherst College as set forth herein) is prohibited without advance written authorization from the college’s Office of Communications. In most instances, the college will require that any third party who wishes to use the Amherst Marks (whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes) agree to the college’s standard license agreement.

  1. All other uses

Any use of the Amherst Marks other than as expressly permitted herein is prohibited without advance written permission from the college’s Office of Communications.

Violations

Amherst College, at the discretion of its senior administration and upon the advice of legal counsel, will take any action deemed necessary to protect the Amherst Marks from infringement or dilution, including, but not limited to, pursuing legal action against any third party who infringes the Amherst Marks or otherwise violates this policy.

Current students, faculty, and staff who unintentionally violate this policy will generally receive a written reminder of the policy. Repeat, egregious, or intentional violations may result in the loss of the privilege of using Amherst Marks and/or disciplinary action under applicable college policies and procedures.