Queen's University owns a number of identifying marks, the use of which is strictly controlled and protected under the Trademarks Act of Canada. Trademark examples include the Queen's University and sub-brand logos, the university flag, and the words Queen's, Queen's University, Tricolour, and Gaels typeset in any font or style. Please refer to the Canadian Trademarks Database for a full list of registered trademarks and the Trademarks and Licensing Policy for detailed guidelines for use. Brand protection extends to any applications that appear to represent or borrow from the Queen's brand or its sub-brands.
Merchandise is a visual representation of a brand, shaping the perception of that brand in the mind of the viewer. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni all benefit from a strong brand image for Queen’s University. As each piece of branded merchandise created and worn is a representation of the university, it is imperative that all applications are high-quality, aligned with Queen’s University Visual Identity and Brand Style, while also reflecting the university’s values. In order to efficiently and effectively achieve this goal, University Relations has created a catalogue of Queen’s University merchandise and final artwork files that can be used by faculty, staff, student class representatives, and campus retailers who have been approved to produce branded merchandise.
Please refer to the Queen's University Branded Merchandise Catalogue and Guide to review the merchandise options and guidelines. All merchandise must be submitted for review and approval from the University Relations Brand Team via the Merchandise Approval Form prior to production.
Branded Merchandise
The Branded Merchandise Catalogue and Guide outlines the approved branded apparel designs available for Queen's University and its faculties, schools, programs, and departments, as well as detailed guidance on design and production specifications.
Approval Form
All merchandise representing Queen's University and/or its faculties, schools, departments, units, and officially recognized groups must be submitted for review and approval via the Merchandise Approval Form.
Licensed Suppliers
Merchandise bearing a Queen's trademark (logo or trademarked name) or representing the Queen's brand or a sub-brand must be produced by a company from the university's Licensed Supplier list.
Student Group Logos
The Student Group Identification Guide outlines the detailed guidelines for Queen's University student group naming, logo design, and identification in print and digital applications.
Class Crests
The Class Crest Guidelines outline the design criteria for the student-designed faculty and school class crests applied to Queen's University jackets.
Royalties
As a matter of policy, all Queen’s University and sub-brand merchandise created for the purpose of sale is subject to a royalty fee. These royalties fall under the terms of the licensing agreement, are paid by the licensed supplier to the university, and submitted via the Royalty Report Submission Form.
Standards of Use
Queen’s University’s visual identity, name, trademarks, and brand must be used in good taste and appear only on high-quality approved products that promote positive brand reputation, produced under legal and fair labour conditions in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
- Queen's University (through University Relations) reserves the right to decline products, designs, or trademark use not in keeping with the standards described below or not in alignment with the mission and values of the university.
- The university's name, trademarks, and brand cannot be used in any way that will discriminate against any persons or groups based on age, ancestry, belief, colour, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or in any other way that would be a violation of the university's values.
- The university's name, trademarks, and brand cannot be associated with any activity, product, or image that detracts from or tarnishes the good name, image, and reputation of Queen’s University.
- Queen’s marks are not to be used with the name of a business, logo, in advertising services, or on a product in a way that could indicate or imply an endorsement.
- If the university marks are used in conjunction with another entity's marks, approval must be granted from each entity and University Relations.
- Queen’s is a member of the Workers' Rights Consortium (WRC).
To pursue licensing, contact the Trademarks and Licensing Office. For direction on trademark usage or for guidance on ordering Queen’s University marked products from our licensed suppliers, please contact the Brand Team.