SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL
Ignoring: Despite numerous attempts by IHQ to communicate via email to non-licensed vendors, many of these entities ignore official notifications on the Fraternity’s vendor license program and continue to market and sell items displaying fraternity’s registered trade- marks.
gram. Other major online retailers, like Amazon, have similar IP owner rights programs, which the IPP Committee will research to join.
Patronizing authorized licensed vendors support the companies and individu- als that support Kappa Alpha Psi and adhere to its guidance concerning IP and brand.
Buyer Beware
Overview of Vendor MarketPlace
IPP Committee and IHQ strongly urge fraternity members and their families not to patronize non-licensed vendors for Kappa Alpha Psi items. Occa- sionally, on social media, a fraternity member who purchased items from a non-licensed vendor uses social media to invariably complain about a shoddy product, poor customer service, slow shipping, or difficulty obtaining a re- fund. When purchasing from a non-licensed paraphernalia vendor, IHQ cannot pro- vide customer service remediation with a non-licensed company or individual. Although IHQ does not guarantee any product members’ purchase, IHQ can work with an approved vendor to resolve acceptable to both parties should the need arise. In addition, some non-licensed vendors pose as American and even an African- American company but reside outside the United States, such as China. These companies utilize multiple “com- pany aliases” and web URLs to market potential customers. Frequent Face- book users may see the Kappa Alpha Psi name, letters, or symbols pasted on a computerized item in a family room, table, bathroom, or even caucasian female. These companies should be avoided at all costs to protect them- selves from possible fraud and deceptive practices.
Over the last few years, the Fraternity’s coordinated efforts to improve vendor communication, increase monitoring
Patronize Autho- rized Vendors The IPP Com- mittee, IHQ, and the Grand Board of Direc- tors encourage
and enforcement of the Fraternity’s IP and brand, and develop tools and re- sources for members and vendors have
fraternity members, families, and friends to patronize and support only authorized licensed paraphernalia vendors. Ad- ditional points to emphasize concern- ing the Fraternity and paraphernalia vendors. • IHQ is the only entity authorized to issue Kappa Alpha Psi vendor licenses;
raised the Kappa Alpha Psi’s profile in the paraphernalia vendor community. IPP Committee has observed the follow- ing actions by fraternity vendors over the last two years. Acquiring an Annual License: Numer- ous companies annually renew their ven- dor license with IHQ and new vendors obtain their initial annual license. The Fraternity has observed a slight increase year over year in application submittals. Delisting: Dozens of paraphernalia vendors have decided not to obtain a fraternity vendor license. Consequently, these companies removed all Kappa Al- pha Psi items from their respective prod- uct catalogs and removed all references to Kappa Alpha Psi from their websites and social media pages. The volume of revenue from Kappa Alpha Psi products they sell does not overcome the cost of procuring an annual vendor license for these vendors. Out of Business: Some vendors have gone out of business. In addition to companies’ typical operational and financial challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns and restrictions have hurt many companies, including fraternity and sorority para- phernalia vendors. The cancellation of in-person conferences such as Con- claves, Province Meetings, and other gatherings have hurt these businesses.
•
Always inquire whether a vendor is currently licensed with Kappa Alpha Psi before purchasing; When finding a non-licensed vendor marketing Kappa Alpha Psi items, please assist the Fraternity with protecting its IP by notifying IHQ at IHQip@kappaalphap- si1911.com or contacting Brother Robert Peterson with company name and company contact infor- mation (website, email address, contact phone number…); A vendor that posts the fraternity’s license token on their website and social media indicates the com- pany is currently an authorized licensed vendor of Kappa Alpha Psi; For chapters and provinces, please only utilize IHQ authorized licensed paraphernalia vendors at chapter picnics, banquets, reclamation events, social events, conferences, and meetings.
•
•
Kappa Alpha Psi Vendor Program
More detailed information on the Frater- nity’s Intellectual Property Program and vendor licenses can be reviewed below. IHQ frequently updates the listing of approved paraphernalia vendors. https://kappaalphapsi1911.com/page/ Vendor
•
50 | FALL 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker