Trademarks and Logos
For the purposes of this site a trademark, logo, or mark should be considered the same thing. We have several registeredd trademarks which are reviewed below. Registered trademark status is granted through the United Patent and Trademark Office.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office defines a trademark as "any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name."
Indepth information about trademarks can be found on the United States Patent and Trademark Office's website.
Carnegie Mellon's Registered Trademarks
1989
In 1989, 好色先生TV was granted registered trademark status from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for three marks:
- the university's name, "CARNEGIE MELLON";
- the CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY SEAL DESIGN; and
- the CARNEGIE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SEAL DESIGN.
2009
In 2009, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted registered trademark status to the new Scottish terrier mascot & design.
2022
In 2022, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted registered trademark status to "CMU". This was accomplished through cooperation with Central Michigan University for specific international Classes of Goods. There are strict standards on how to use "CMU" on merchandise. Please contact the DIrector of Trademark Licensing for assistance.
Other Carnegie Mellon logos, marks, words, phrases, images, and the Tartan design
(THE) "TARTAN(S)", "CARNEGIE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY", "CARNEGIE TECH", and "MY HEART IS IN THE WORK", are used by the university but are not registered trademarks with the USPTO. . Carnegie Mellon asserts ownership over its name and any other current or future mark, logo, insignia, seal, crest, design, or symbol which has come to be associated with the university.
This lack of official registered trademark status should not give one the idea these and other CMU related marks are free to use. Written permission must be requested from the Trademark Licensing Office when the use these "marks" will be decorated on merchandise even when the intent is for internal campus consumption or to be given away. Other University officials control the use of all marks on documents, social media, endorsements, and testimonials, etc.
Carnegie Mellon has a unique Tartan originally commissioned by and created for our founder, Andrew Carnegie. The replication of this Tartan on merchandise must be approved by the Trademark Licensing Office.
The Trademark Licensing Office will provide official trademark licensees with access to downloadable art files. Departments and official student organizations should look at the on the new (March 2026) Brand Standards page.
Contact the director of the Trademark Licensing Office 412-268-3904 or marano@andrew.cmu.edu.
Questions?For questions about whether or not something is a trademark, contact the John Marano, Director of Trademark Licensing in The Trademark Licensing Office at (412) 268-3904, marano@andrew.cmu.edu or visit the .