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August 22, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) formalized its trademark licensing arrangements with five local businesses through the signing of Trademark Licensing Agreements (TLA) on August 24, 2026, at the Skyroom, Administration Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
The agreements were signed with AJAA Elite Tailor, Ears Copy Center, Erprint Tailoring Services, Diego Printshoppe and Office Supplies, and SL Tailoring, authorizing them to produce approved merchandise bearing the University Seal under the terms and conditions set by USM.
The signing establishes a formal arrangement between the University and the businesses that produce USM merchandise, providing them with official authorization to use the University Seal for approved products.
USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel said the University has registered its designs and other creations with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), including the University Seal, which was registered as a trademark in February 2025.
“Lahat ng mga silyo, mga designs na ginagamit natin. Naka-anchor yan sa IPOPhil, mayroon tayong industrial design, utility model, patent, copyright, trademark,” Pres. Pimentel said.With the Seal registered as a trademark, the University established a licensing system to ensure that businesses using it have the University’s permission.
“…nandito tayo para iayos natin, mag-agree tayo through a contract para mayroon kayong freedom to use yung nilikha na university na may pahintulot sa university,” the president said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jalaloden B. Marohom, head of the Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer, and Business Development Office (IPTTBDO), explained that the licensing arrangement provides businesses with legal authorization to produce merchandise bearing the University Seal.
“Siyempre USM Seal is a registered Trademark, it is a protected intellectual property, therefore, need ma monitor kung paano at saan siya ginagamit,” Dr. Marohom said.
He added that suppliers and other stakeholders need to understand the proper use of the Seal, particularly now that it is a registered trademark.
According to him, licensing does not prevent businesses from producing USM merchandise. Instead, it provides a formal mechanism for qualified suppliers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to obtain permission to use the University’s trademark.
“So, part of observing the proper use is also to authorize them in producing merchandises bearing university seal,” he said.
Under the TLA, USM remains the registered owner of the University Seal, while the participating businesses are granted limited authority to use the trademark for approved products and purposes within the period and conditions specified in the agreement.
Licensees are also required to follow prescribed design and usage standards, maintain the quality of merchandise bearing the Seal, comply with commercial and reporting requirements, and refrain from reproducing, transferring, or using the trademark beyond the authority granted by USM.
“Simply stated, licensing does not mean unrestricted use. It is a controlled permission to use a valuable intellectual property asset under mutually agreed conditions,” the director mentioned.For the participating businesses, the agreement provides an official basis for their partnership with the University.
One of the licensees shared that their shop has been producing department slings and plaques for USM and decided to participate in the licensing arrangement to formalize their partnership with the University.
“Mostly sa mga department slings and plaques, sa amin nagpapagawa ang USM. Ginrab po namin na sumali po dito para atleast ma legal ang partnership ni USM at ng aming shop,” the licensee said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan, head of the Research Centers and representative of Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, said the agreement also helps ensure that the University Seal and logo are properly used by its business partners.
“This agreement, the TLA, helps ensure that USM’s seal and logo are displayed properly, consistently, and with the dignity they represent,” Dr. Cabasan said.
USM will also provide a list of authorized suppliers and plans to publicize the establishments that have entered into the TLA. This will allow the public to identify businesses officially authorized to produce merchandise bearing the University Seal.
Through the licensing agreements, USM now has a formal system governing the use of its registered trademark, giving qualified local businesses a clear basis for producing approved USM merchandise while keeping ownership and standards for the University Seal under the University’s oversight.
(Filipino Translation)
USM, Nagpatupad ng Trademark Licensing para sa Paggamit ng University Seal
Nagpatupad na ang University of Southern Mindanao (USM) ng pormal na trademark licensing system para sa paggamit ng University Seal matapos lumagda ang pamantasan sa Trademark Licensing Agreements (TLA) kasama ang limang lokal na negosyo noong Agosto 24, 2026, sa Skyroom, Administration Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Lumagda sa kasunduan ang AJAA Elite Tailor, Ears Copy Center, Erprint Tailoring Services, Diego Printshoppe and Office Supplies, at SL Tailoring. Sa ilalim ng TLA, binigyan ang mga negosyo ng awtorisasyon na gumawa ng mga aprubadong merchandise na may University Seal, alinsunod sa mga pamantayan at kondisyong itinakda ng pamantasan.
Ang hakbang ay isinagawa kasunod ng pagpaparehistro ng University Seal bilang trademark sa Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) noong Pebrero 2025.
Ayon kay USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, bahagi ito ng mas malawak na pagsisikap ng pamantasan na maprotektahan ang mga likha at intellectual property nito.
“Lahat ng mga silyo, mga designs na ginagamit natin. Naka-anchor yan sa IPOPHIL, mayroon tayong industrial design, utility model, patent, copyright, trademark,” aniya.
Dahil rehistrado na bilang trademark ang University Seal, kinakailangan nang magkaroon ng malinaw na kasunduan sa pagitan ng USM at mga negosyong gagamit nito sa kanilang mga produkto.
“…nandito tayo para iayos natin, mag-agree tayo through a contract para mayroon kayong freedom to use yung nilikha ng university na may pahintulot sa university,” dagdag ni Dr. Pimentel.
Ipinaliwanag naman ni Dr. Jalaloden S. Marohom, head ng Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer, and Business Development Office (IPTTBDO), na nagbibigay ang licensing arrangement ng legal na pahintulot sa mga negosyo na gumawa ng merchandise na may University Seal.
“Siyempre USM Seal is a registered Trademark, it is a protected intellectual property, therefore, need ma monitor kung paano at saan siya ginagamit,” ani ni Dr. Marohom.
Binigyang-diin niya na hindi ipinagbabawal ng licensing system ang paggawa ng USM merchandise. Sa halip, nagbibigay ito ng pormal na mekanismo upang mabigyan ng pahintulot ang mga kwalipikadong supplier at micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) na gumawa ng mga produktong may University Seal.
“So, part of observing the proper use is also to authorize them in producing merchandises bearing university seal,” paliwanag niya.
Sa ilalim ng TLA, nananatiling pagmamay-ari ng USM ang University Seal, habang ang mga lumagda ay binigyan lamang ng limitadong awtoridad na gamitin ito para sa mga aprubadong produkto at layunin sa loob ng panahong itinakda sa kasunduan.
Inaatasan din ang mga licensee na sundin ang mga pamantayan ng USM sa disenyo at paggamit ng Seal, panatilihin ang kalidad ng mga produktong may University Seal, at tumupad sa mga itinakdang commercial at reporting requirements. Hindi rin sila maaaring magparami, maglipat, o gumamit ng trademark sa paraang wala sa saklaw ng kanilang lisensya.
“Simply stated, licensing does not mean unrestricted use. It is a controlled permission to use a valuable intellectual property asset under mutually agreed conditions,” ayon sa direktor.
Para sa mga lumagda, nagbibigay naman ang kasunduan ng opisyal na batayan para sa kanilang pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamantasan. Ayon sa isa sa mga licensee, kabilang sa kanilang mga karaniwang ginagawa para sa USM ang department slings at plaques.
“Mostly sa mga department slings and plaques, sa amin nagpapagawa ang USM. Ginrab po namin na sumali po dito para atleast ma legal ang partnership ni USM at ng aming shop,” pahayag ng licensee.
Samantala, sinabi ni Dr. Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan, head ng Research Centers at kinatawan ni Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, na makatutulong ang TLA upang matiyak ang wasto at pare-parehong paggamit ng University Seal at logo.
“This agreement, the TLA, helps ensure that USM’s seal and logo are displayed properly, consistently, and with the dignity they represent,” ani ni Dr. Cabasan.
Maglalabas din ang USM ng listahan ng mga awtorisadong supplier at planong ipaalam sa publiko ang mga establisimyentong lumagda sa TLA. Sa ganitong paraan, matutukoy ng mga estudyante, empleyado, alumni, at iba pang stakeholder kung aling mga negosyo ang opisyal na pinahintulutan ng pamantasan na gumawa ng merchandise na may University Seal.
Sa pamamagitan ng trademark licensing, nagkaroon ang USM ng pormal na sistema para sa paggamit ng University Seal, na nagbibigay ng malinaw na proseso para sa mga negosyong nais gumawa ng aprubadong USM merchandise habang nananatili sa pamantasan ang pagmamay-ari at pangangasiwa sa paggamit ng rehistradong trademark.
