Crackdown On Counterfeiters

Oct. 18, 1999

CLEMSON, S.C. and ATLANTA, Ga. — Hours before the kickoff of the Clemson/Florida State game in Clemson this weekend, representatives from The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and local law enforcement will canvas the Clemson marketplace in search of counterfeit Clemson and Florida State merchandise.

Counterfeit merchandise is any product bearing the logos and marks of Clemson or Florida State that has not been approved for sale by the Universities. When purchasing either Clemson or Florida State merchandise consumers should always look for the following characteristics to ensure the merchandise they purchase is officially licensed:

All officially licensed merchandise should display the red andblue round “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” logo somewhereon the product. The merchandise should depict Clemson and FloridaState logos and marks in a tasteful manner, as distasteful designsare not approved by the Universities. The tag in the garment shouldbe intact. A torn or missing tag is evidence of a second-handgarment, one that probably would not meet the stringent qualitystandards in place at the Universities. All merchandise should bearthe name of the manufacturer somewhere on the product. This couldbe in the form of a hangtag, a neck label or screenprinted directlyon the garment. All merchandise should have the appropriatetrademark designations (i.e., TM, ®) next to a specific name ordesign.

Unlicensed merchandise undermines the standards of quality established by these universities, and the control Clemson and Florida State have over their logos. As the exclusive licensing representative for Clemson University and Florida State University, CLC is responsible for protecting the use of logos and marks which are owned by the Universities.

Anyone suspecting counterfeit merchandise should call The Collegiate Licensing Company at (770) 956-0520 to report the suspected infringement.

The Collegiate Licensing Company is the nation’s leading collegiate licensing and marketing representative. The CLC Consortium consists of more than 180 universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, The Heisman Trophy, and the NCAA. Based in Atlanta, CLC provides its member institutions the expertise, resources and experience necessary to maximize licensing revenue potential through the power of consolidation.