6.16 Patents, Trademarks, and “Use of Name” Regulations

6.15 Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls

The placement of an obscene or harassing telephone call, which is a criminal offense, punishable to the full extent of the law in the courts, is treated as a serious disciplinary issue within the Medical School.

Information from the Harvard Police is available for anyone receiving such a call.

6.16 Patents, Trademarks, and “Use of Name” Regulations

Members of the University, including students, are expected to notify and to disclose to the Office of Technology Development (OTD) any discovery or invention they have made in connection with their University work. Copies of the University policy regarding inventions, patents, and copyrights are available from OTD here. When inventions are subject to the University policy, OTD determines whether a patent application should be filed (the cost of which is borne by the University) and undertakes a marketing effort to license the invention to one or more companies for development into commercial products. Net income received from licenses is shared with the inventors.

Use of the names and insignia of the University or any of its units by any student or student group is permitted only as spelled out in the University Policy on the Use of the Harvard Names and Insignias. In particular, reference to “Harvard” or “Harvard University” or suggestions of affiliation with any school or unit of the University in connection with any organization, publication, activity, or third-party is allowable only with advance permission of the Dean or Provost.

All student group names, logos, or publications incorporating any of the University’s trademarks (e.g., “Harvard Polo Club”) are owned by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of the University.

Harvard University’s Trademark Program, operated out of the Office of Technology Development, is responsible for licensing the use of Harvard’s various trademarks (e.g., “Harvard,” “Harvard College,” “Harvard Medical School,” “the VERITAS shield,” etc.) throughout the world. Revenue from the program is provided to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and is used for undergraduate financial aid. Any student group wishing to reproduce any University trademark on products (e.g., t-shirts, mugs, etc.) must contact the Trademark Program for written approval. The Trademark Program will provide guidance on how the marks may be used, can recommend licensed manufacturers, and will advise when royalty exemptions apply. In addition to licensing, the Trademark Program is responsible for dealing with the unauthorized use of the University’s trademarks by third parties worldwide. Any unauthorized use of the Harvard trademarks should be reported to the Trademark Program. The Trademark Program also provides advice on trademark-related issues and assists departments in obtaining trademark protection for any trademarks they are using, whether or not they include the word “Harvard.”