What is a licensed vendor, anyway?

If you’re ordering apparel or giveaways on behalf of Johns Hopkins University, it’s essential to work with a licensed vendor. This applies not just to JHU employee and student orders, but also to retail sellers, like the bookstore and online shops. In this post, we’ll explore why licensing matters, how to find approved vendors, and how a vendor becomes licensed. 

Why Use a Licensed Vendor? 

You may be wondering why working with a licensed vendor is necessary, especially if you’ve worked with unlicensed vendors in the past without an issue. All merchandise orders paid for by Johns Hopkins University or orders that use the Johns Hopkins name or trademarks are legally required to use a licensed vendor—here’s why:  

1. Brand Protection 
By licensing its trademarks, Johns Hopkins ensures that only authorized vendors use its logos and names. This helps prevent misuse, like incorrect logo colors, and avoids negative associations with substandard or inappropriate products. 

2. Quality Control 
Licensed vendors are required to meet strict quality standards set by Johns Hopkins. This guarantees that products bearing the university’s name and marks are reliable and high quality. 

3. Reputation Management 
Trademark management allows Johns Hopkins to maintain a positive image and control how its brand is perceived by the public. 

4. Social Responsibility  
Johns Hopkins University is a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). All licensed vendors are obligated to abide by the university’s code of conduct and are required to be FLA members. 

How to Find a Licensed Vendor 

Visit the Promo Items and Merchandise page to find a list of local and national licensed vendors that are familiar with the university’s brand guidelines and processes. You can also search the full vendor list on the Collegiate Licensing Company’s (CLC) website: https://clc.com/license-search/  

Please be aware that just because a vendor is registered in the JHU procurement system, it doesn’t mean they are licensed. If a vendor approaches you about doing work for your department, you should always verify that they are licensed via CLC’s vendor search or by emailing [email protected]. 

How Does a Vendor Get Licensed? 

Johns Hopkins University partners with The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to license vendors. If there is an unlicensed vendor that you’d like to work with, they must go through the licensing process to legally produce merchandise on behalf of Johns Hopkins University. This applies to local and national vendors, from large companies to small crafters.  

Through this process, potential vendors must: 

• Apply through the CLC’s licensing program: https://clc.com/home/get-licensed/ 
• Meet Johns Hopkins’ quality and brand standards. 
• Adhere to the university’s guidelines for trademark usage. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding licensing requirements, contact [email protected].