Crests, trademarks and who may order them
TribuniQ produces club crests, club names, league marks and mascots only for the rights holder or with its written consent. This page sets out our club crest licensing approach, what we check before accepting an order, and how supporters groups can commission merchandise legally with an official club merchandise license for their use.
Club crest licensing at TribuniQ
## Policy overview
We produce any protected identity — the club crest, wordmarks, league marks, mascots and identical or confusingly similar artwork — only for the rights holder (the club, league, school) or with its written consent. We never sell crested products of clubs to third parties. This applies across all products, from knitted jacquard scarves and HD printed scarves to mascot plush and team wear. Our approach follows EU case law on trademarks used on merchandise (Arsenal v Reed).
## Who can order
Orders may be placed by the rights holder directly, by its licensee acting within the scope of its agreement, or by a school/college/university or federation for its own marks. Supporters clubs and fan groups are welcome to order their own non‑crested designs; to use the official crest, name or mascot, we require written consent from the club or its licensing agent. Retailers and event organisers need documented authorisation stating the permitted marks and products.
## What we check before production
Before accepting a crested job we verify the ordering party and the authorisation. Typical proofs are an email from an official club domain or a signed letter on letterhead naming the licensee, the exact marks to be used, the products covered and any territory or time limits. We may ask for a contact at the club or licensing office to confirm. If proof is incomplete, we will pause the project or offer a non‑infringing design alternative.
## Third‑party marks: leagues, sponsors, players
League badges, federation emblems, sponsor logos and player names/images are separate rights. Club permission does not automatically cover them. If you want them on scarves, kits or other items, please provide written consent from each relevant rights holder. Without that, we will omit or replace those elements. Where portrait or likeness rights apply, we require confirmation in writing; if in doubt, we will confirm requirements in the quote.
## Mascots, plush and costumes
Mascot plush (and walk‑around costumes by our sister studio MascotiQ) use the same licensing rule: rights holder only, or written consent. Plush and costume can share one approved character design. For mascot replicas we also verify that any mini kit, scarf or accessory uses marks within the permitted scope.
## Artwork, ownership and delivery
Design is free with a production order. Artwork is created for the client and never resold. We deliver worldwide from the EU by courier or freight, with DDP (duties prepaid) available for non‑EU countries; delivery to the stadium or club shop is routine. We support English, German and Polish in daily communication and documentation.
What we need to accept a crested order
- Authorisation from the rights holder: club‑domain email or signed letter on letterhead naming the licensee.
- Exact list of marks to be used: crest, wordmark, mascot, league or sponsor logos if applicable.
- Products covered by the authorisation (e.g. scarves, plush, team wear) and any limits (territory, term).
- Brand guidelines or artwork rules (crest files, colours, clear space, sponsor rules).
- Contact at the club/licensing office for verification, if not obvious from the authorisation.
- Confirmation that you hold rights for any third‑party marks (league, federation, sponsor, player).
- Sales channel and destination (club shop, stadium, online store) to align labelling and delivery.
- Invoice entity and correspondence details for the written quote and order documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can a supporters club order scarves with the official crest?
Yes, with the club’s written consent naming the supporters group and the product. Without consent we can produce non‑crested designs in club colours, with your own name or slogan.
What proof of authorisation do you accept?
An email from an official club domain or a signed letter on club letterhead is standard. It should state the licensee, permitted marks, covered products and any territory or term. A contact for verification is helpful.
Can we include league badges or sponsor logos?
Only with written consent from the relevant rights holder. Club permission does not automatically grant rights to league marks or sponsor logos. If consent is not provided, we will omit or substitute those elements.
Do you provide the official club merchandise license?
No. The license is granted by the rights holder to its partner. We are the manufacturer and produce within the scope of your authorisation. We keep the documents on file for the project.
How do you price licensed items?
We send a price per piece in a written quote within two working days. Pricing depends on product type, quantity, number of colours, sizes, single/double‑sided construction and packaging.
Can you deliver outside the EU and handle customs?
Yes. We deliver worldwide from the EU by courier or freight; DDP (duties prepaid) is possible for non‑EU countries. We confirm options in the quote.
What if our club has no formal licensing office?
A signed authorisation by a club officer on letterhead or a club‑domain email is sufficient if it clearly specifies the permitted marks and products. We will verify the contact details before production.
Start your licensed merchandise project
Send the crest files and a short note confirming your authorisation (or ask what is needed). We will verify the rights, advise what we can produce, and send a written quote within two working days.
Get a quote and a free design
Tell us what you need, how many and by when. Attach your crest or colours — we send a design proof and a price per piece.
- Reply on working days, usually within a few hours
- Free design proof within 48 hours
- Written price within 2 working days
Prefer email? corp@mascotiq.eu · WhatsApp