Collegiate Licensing Company, in Partnership with College Football Playoff Officials, is Actively Working to Prevent the Sale of Counterfeit Merchandise at the National Championship Game
January 6, 2023
The upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game will feature the Georgia Bulldogs and the TCU Horned Frogs. In an effort to prevent visitors and fans from purchasing counterfeit and unlicensed merchandise, Collegiate Licensing Company, the top collegiate trademark licensing agency in the country, is collaborating with CFP officials.
As the exclusive licensing agent for the CFP, the Collegiate Licensing Company will partner with investigators to patrol the vicinity of SoFi Stadium and CFP events, in order to identify and deter counterfeiters selling knock-off merchandise.
The enforcement actions aimed at preventing the sale of counterfeit merchandise began last week during the two CFP Semifinal games, namely the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
There are a total of 42 companies that have been officially licensed to manufacture approved merchandise bearing the College Football Playoff marks. Fans are strongly urged to purchase only CFP merchandise that is officially licensed, as this ensures that they will receive high-quality products that can serve as memorable souvenirs of their national championship experience.
Here are some tips for consumers who wish to purchase officially licensed College Football Playoff merchandise:
Look for the "Officially Licensed Collegiate Product" or the CFP's "Extra Yard for Teachers" hologram on the product or hangtag.
Make sure that the logos and trademarks of the College Football Playoff and participating teams are depicted tastefully on the merchandise.
Check that the tag on the garment is intact. A torn or missing tag may indicate that the garment is of inferior quality and may not meet the College Football Playoff's quality standards.
Confirm that the merchandise bears the name of the manufacturer, either on a hangtag, neck label, or screen-printed directly on the garment.
Ensure that the appropriate trademark designations (i.e., TM, ®) are present next to a specific name or design.
Fans should keep in mind the aforementioned guidelines when shopping for merchandise online, as many counterfeiters target fans through social media and other online outlets. It is important to only purchase officially licensed College Football Playoff merchandise from reputable retailers to ensure the authenticity and quality of the product.
The sale of officially licensed CFP merchandise generates royalties that fund the organization's philanthropic initiative, Extra Yard for Teachers. This initiative is committed to honoring and supporting teachers nationally and in the communities that host the CFP National Championship by providing resources, professional development and training, teacher recognition, and promoting a college-going culture. Since its establishment in 2015, sales of officially licensed CFP merchandise have generated over $8 million for Extra Yard for Teachers.