About Trademark Designations
The University of Missouri has current and in-progress trademarks for our logos, marks and verbiage. The trademark designations ™ (TM) and ® (R) serve important legal and brand protection purposes. Refer to these guidelines to learn when and where to apply trademark designations.
™ Symbol
The ™ symbol is used to indicate that a word, phrase, logo, or design is being claimed as a trademark, even if it has not yet been officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
® Symbol
In contrast, the ® symbol signifies that the mark has been federally registered and has additional legal protections. This symbol can only be used with registered marks. Using these designations helps notify others of trademark rights, deters infringement, and strengthens the University’s ability to enforce those rights if challenged. Proper use of these symbols is a key part of protecting brand identity and maintaining the integrity of the University’s intellectual property.
Trademarks Available to Campus
The following logos, marks and verbiage are available for campus use. The appropriate trademark designation should be included based on the guidelines below. If you have any questions about using Mizzou’s trademarks or applying designations to your project, please email brand@missouri.edu.
Signatures
In March of 2026, the ® symbol was added to high-level signatures and marks containing the Stacked MU. This includes the:
- Mizzou signature
- University of Missouri signature (restricted use)
- MU Health Care signature
- Mizzou Alumni Association logo
- Schools/Colleges signatures (ex: College of Arts and Science, Missouri School of Journalism, School of Law)
For more information about this update, visit Signatures with Registration Marks.
Logos and Marks
The Stacked MU, Spirit Tiger Head, Athletic Tiger Head and Truman the Tiger (head and body) may be used by campus departments as graphics in marketing materials, apparel, merchandise and promotional items. Make sure to review all brand guidelines before using these marks.
Verbiage
The following trademarked verbiage is available for campus use:
- University of Missouri ®
- Missouri ®
- Missouri Tigers ®
- MU ™
- Tigers™
- Mizzou ®
- Mizzou-rah ™
- Truman ™
- Mizzoumade ®
- MIZ ™
- ZOU ™
- The Zou ®
- The Columns ™
- Rock M ™
Adding Trademark Designations
When using the trademarks of the University, the trademark designation symbols should be included under the following conditions detailed below.
NOTE: The addition of trademark designations applies to the following signatures: Mizzou signature, University of Missouri signature, MU Health Care signature, Mizzou Alumni Association mark and School/College signatures.
For more information about this update and using effected signatures, please visit: Signatures with Registration Marks
Copy
In written text, the ™ or ® symbol should appear with the first or most prominent use of the trademarked name, phrase, or logo, typically in headlines and titles in marketing materials and web pages. News articles and press releases do not need trademark designations in them. This usage helps clearly communicate ownership.
Apparel, Merchandise and Promo Items
When using trademarks on these items, the trademark symbol should be placed immediately after the mark (e.g., logo or phrase) wherever it appears.
Always use a licensed vendor and refer to the ordering and design guidelines for your area before placing your order.
Signage
When using trademarks on signage, the trademark symbol should be placed immediately after the mark (e.g., logo or phrase) wherever it appears.
