Community Connect
Formerly Crafter's License Program
Purdue University has developed a crafter's license program, known as Community Connect, to help benefit the local craftsperson. This program provides crafters with an opportunity to use their creativity without infringing the University’s trademarks while still allowing the University to maintain the integrity of its brand. Community Connect will also be used by local entrepreneurs to test the market before entering into a broader retail license with the University through its licensing agent, CLC. This license is ideal for fans and alumni who are interested in producing small quantities of merchandise.
Eligibility
A self-employed individual of great skill in the manual arts who produces items that are all or partly (>50%) made by hand or with a hands-on process in the home and selling/distributing to individual consumers via events or direct sale. A craftsperson does not utilize any fully automated processes and has no paid employees.
Application Process
To apply, go to Direct Licensing Hub and click "Apply for license." Purdue and CLC will review the application and products for approval. If approved, the crafter will be notified by CLC. The license is good for one calendar year, starting from the date of an executed agreement and expiring at the end of the same calendar year in which the agreement was executed. No mail applications will be reviewed.
Approvals
The application form should be completed and submitted online. No mail applications will be reviewed. A license agreement will be sent to the crafter via Adobe Sign for signature once the applications and photos/samples are reviewed and approved. The signed agreement should be returned to CLC with a check made payable to CLC. There is a $300 annual licensing fee.
Fees
A $300 annual licensing fee will be charged by Purdue University on an annual basis. Crafters are allowed to sell up to 500 units or $2,500 in sales revenue annually.
Officially Licensed Certificate
Crafters, once approved, will be provided with an "Officially Licensed" Certificate to use at craft fairs, on webpages, etc. when selling products. This replaces hologram stickers that were previously provided.
Products
Items that are unique, handmade and of an underrepresented category. Categories that are not permitted include:
- Apparel
- Headwear
- Digital Downloads
- Consumable items/items used on or in the body
- Potentially other items on a case-by-case basis
Selling Platforms
This license allows for sales to individual consumers only, and does not allow for wholesale or third party vendor/distributor sales. All items must be approved by Purdue Trademarks and Licensing prior to listing or displaying for sale. Samples may be required for some items. Craftsperson can only sell products at the following locations if crafter contact information is provided and the license certificate is displayed:
- Craft shows
- Farmers markets
- Festivals
- Flea markets
- Fairs
- Limited online sites (personal website or crafter-hosted websites, i.e. Etsy)
- Artisan/co-op shops
- Distribution via events such as events organized by church, school, county or state
Please note that in accordance with University policy, no solicitation of sales may be made on campus at tailgate events.
Artwork Approval
All crafters will need to submit proposed artwork for all products for approval prior to production and sale of the item. Artwork will be submitted through the crafter's portal and routed to Purdue for approval. Licensees will be given instructions for this process upon approval of their application.
Contact
Please email communityconnect@clc.com for additional information and questions.