SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL
a wealth of paraphernalia options to choose from and enjoy the fun and re- laxing shopping atmosphere as well. Its hard work but necessary work to ensure that our brand is represented well and the integrity of our vending and intellec- tual property remains strong.” Robert Cooper, Esq. (Xi 1982), a mem- ber of the Washington (DC) Alumni Chapter, leads the IPP Committee as chairman. The Committee’s charge is to assist Brother Peterson, IHQ, the Grand Board of Directors, and the Fraternity’s IP attor- neys with supporting
permission.
and its value in the marketplace.
The web portal is designed as a single information resource for companies, individuals, and fraternity members concerning the Fraternity’s IP program, registered trademarks, and brand guid- ance.
In March 2021, the Branding Guide was updated with an improved interface and added new resources.
Online Application
To ease the process for companies and individuals to obtain a fraternity vendor license, the IPP Committee helped facilitate the development of an online application. Within the application process, vendors must provide images of their product catalog for IPP committee review to ensure the company’s product line adheres to fraternity guidance.
Registered Trademarks
Over the last few years, Brother Peter- son coordinates with the Fraternity’s IP attorney, Brother Phillip G. Hampton (Chi 1975), a member of the Washing- ton (DC) Alumni Chapter, to increase the number of fraternity names, letters, and imagery registered as a trademark with the U.S. Patent Office. The IPP Committee and IHQ continue to work with our patent attorney to review and refine our registered trademarks to pro-
IP and vendor manage- ment.
The online application includes a guidance checklist that vendors must com- plete. The checklist em-
tect the Fraterni- ty and meet the demands of the marketplace. The most up-to- date listing of the Fraternity’s trademarks are found at:
During the vendor license
process, IPP Committee also reviews vendor websites and social media for content. They also periodically moni- tor the internet and social media to post products displaying Fraternity registered trademarks and recommend elevated actions against repeat IP violators. The IPP Committee also researches val- id contact information, specifically email addresses, for identified non-licensed vendors for IHQ to send information to these companies on our IP program, license process, and resources.
phasizes “dos and don’ts” guidance for vendors, including approved fraternity colors and banned symbols and images. The online application eliminates the need for vendors to contact Brother Peterson or another IHQ team member concerning obtaining an annual license. Since its launch, the IP portal has been refined several times as IHQ has received positive feedback from vendors participating in our program. The com- mittee’s goal with the online portal is to make the licensing process easy and self-service.
https://kappamediakit.com/guide/iden- tity/trademarks/
Branding Guide
As an initial step, IPP Committee added a Branding Guide to the IP website. Organized and developed by Brother Luimbe Domingos (Delta Eta 1998), a member of the Philadelphia (PA) Alumni Chapter, the Branding Guide is a robust reference tool for fraternity members and paraphernalia vendors focused on the fraternity’s registered trademarks and branding guidance. The guide provides direction that is consid- ered foundational to ensuring everyone responsible for communicating on behalf of Kappa Alpha Psi ® is consis- tent in using marks, imagery, and words representing the Fraternity. The misuse of our name and likenesses inconsistent with brand guidelines erodes our brand
Intellectual Property Website
The IPP Committee and IHQ launched an IP web portal with the Fraternity’s national website. The IP portal contains abundant information and resources, including an updated listing of all cur- rently licensed vendors, a Branding Guide, Media Kit, a web-based vendor application, and a listing of fraternity registered trademarks. The IP website emphasizes to visi- tors that the Fraternity’s registered and protected trademarks cannot be used or reproduced without the Fraternity’s
Media Kit
IPP Committee spearheaded the devel- opment of the Kappa Media Kit, which explains how the program works and all the benefits of being a licensed vendor for Kappa. In December 2020, in conjunction with Executive Director Burrell and IHQ, the committee created and published the Media Use Statement within the
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