License MIT's Trademark
Learn the requirements for properly obtaining the rights for commercial usage of the MIT trademarks.
"Massachusetts Institute of Technology" and "MIT" are registered trademarks of the Institute. Prospective collegiate merchandise vendors who wish to license one or both of these MIT trademarks for products such as t-shirts, hats, glassware, and other apparel are welcome to apply.
Please note that all merchandise produced for sale is royalty-bearing at the rates determined by our office, and those rates are subject to change. Royalties collected by the Trademark Licensing Program are used to support MIT’s scholarship programs and the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER).
How to Apply
- Submit a Trademark License Application and a Factory Site Disclosure Form(s). (Submit one form for each of the manufacturers/factory associations.)
- Email tlo-trademarks@mit.edu with a current certificate of insurance with MIT as a named insured.
- Send sample(s) of your company's product(s) to be licensed to the MIT Technology Licensing Office—physical samples are required to assess the product quality and need to be mailed to us no later than 7–10 business days after you submit your application:
MIT Technology Licensing Office
Attn: Trademark Coordinator
255 Main Street, NE18-501
Cambridge, MA 02142
If you have any questions about the trademark licensing program or application process, please reach out!
Requirements and Fees
The Trademark License Agreement Terms document describes the general requirements and fees associated with our licensing program. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, we will send the agreement to you for completion.
Licensees must not engage in practices that adversely impact the dignity and welfare of the workers who manufacture or produce MIT-licensed products and must comply with the MIT Code of Conduct.
MIT trademarks are not generally licensed for use in connection with MIT intellectual property, software, patents, and copyrightable material. Any issues relative to the use of trademarks in connection with products should also be referred to the TLO.
Trademark Licensing Guidelines
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Use ® placed in either the lower-right or upper-right corner of the registered mark for the following goods:
- Clocks, watches, tiepins, and rings (Class 14)
- Stationery, namely writing paper and envelopes, and for pens, paperweights, and decals (Class 16)
- Drinking cups (Class 21)
- Clothing, namely sweatpants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, jackets, and shorts (Class 25)
Use ™ placed in either the lower-right corner or the upper-right corner of the mark for all other goods.
MIT: Do not use periods with the acronym.
Use ® for the following goods:
- Rings (Class 14)
- Pens, pencils, notebooks, and decals (Class 16)
- Coffee cups, coffee mugs, and glassware (Class 21)
- Clothing, namely sweaters, sweatpants, sweatshirts, jackets, T-shirts, neckties, shorts, and shirts (Class 25)
The MIT logo is the Institute’s primary mark and must be considered first when creating new merchandise. MIT’s core colors—MIT red, silver gray, bright red, black, and white—should be considered first, though other colors may also be used.
There are three different designs:
- The logo on its own
- The logo, plus a 3-line lock-up
- The logo, plus a 1-line lock-up
Use ® for the following goods:
- Paper goods and printed matter, such as notebooks, appointment books, calendars, pens, pencils, stationery, binders, and decals (Class 16)
- Clothing, namely T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, and caps (Class 25)
- Educational services, namely providing courses for instruction at the college, graduate, and PhD levels (Class 41)
Use ™ for all other goods.
Contact mitmerch@mit.edu to request the logo files.
The MIT logo is the Institute’s primary mark and must be given precedence over the use of the MIT seal.
Use ® for the following goods:
- Clocks, watches, and, tiepins (Class 14)
- Writing paper, paperweights, and decals (Class 16)
- Drinking cups (Class 21)
- Clothing, namely sweatpants, sweatshirts, and T-shirts (Class 25)
Use ™ for all other goods.
For use of the MIT Sloan School of Management logo, please review their school-specific branding guidelines.
Use ™ for all goods.
MIT Sloan
Use ® for the following goods:
- Computer accessories, namely computer mouse pads (Class 09)
- Notebooks, appointment books, calendars, pens, pencils, stationery, binders, and decals (Class 16)
- Clothing, namely T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, and caps (Class 25).
Use ™ for all other goods.
Nerd Pride
The only acceptable fonts are Univers, Collegiate Style/Athletic Block, Helvetica, or Arial.
Use ® for the following goods:
- Clothing and children’s clothing such as sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, jackets, and shorts (Class 25)
- Ornamental novelty buttons (Class 20)
Use ™ for all other goods.
Use ™ for any rendition of the MIT Dome.
These marks may no longer be used and must be removed from ongoing designs:
- The letter “T”
- M.I.T. (note periods)
- MIT Engineers (text)
- Engineers (text)
Any use of “Engineers” is to be limited to athletic gear and must correspond with the Department of Athletics, Physical Education & Recreation (DAPER) guidelines.
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