Trademark, Merchandise, and Artwork Approval Form
Chapters must submit this form through SmarterSelect before they can use any Sigma Alpha Iota registered trademark names, the crest, and/or the badge on apparel or general SAI merchandise (non-chapter or non-province specific). For new users, SmarterSelect will ask you to create a login.
SIGMA ALPHA IOTA OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE POLICY
Sigma Alpha Iota has a long history and our name, letters, our badge, and crest carry a great sense of pride for those who wear them. The Greek letters ΣAI and SAI, Sigma Alpha Iota name, the crest, and the badge are officially registered trademarks, and may not be used except with the express permission of SAI.
Chapters in good standing may utilize SAI trademarks on standard publications such as concert programs, newsletters, yearbook directories, recruitment posters, and chapter websites. Always refer to the current policy in the OP Document Library.
Creating your own merchandise: Many chapters will create their own apparel or items to sell to their members. Any uses for apparel and general SAI merchandise require permission from SAI National Headquarters. Your chapter must submit the Merchandise and Artwork Approval Form to request approval to use the registered trademarks. All apparel and item designs, even without SAI registered trademarks, must be submitted before ordering or selling any items.
Selling items: SAI chapters may sell general SAI merchandise (non-chapter or non-province specific) only within the local SAI chapter, at the chapter’s specific Province Day Phlea-Phlam, and at SAI National Convention Phlea-Phlam. Sales at the chapter’s specific Province Day Phlea-Phlam and SAI National Convention Phlea-Phlam are to be on-site sales only (no orders taken before or after events). Chapters may not act as vendors nor engage in retail or online sales of SAI merchandise for fundraisers, charity, or otherwise.
Other:
• Only officially sanctioned SAI events may use the registered trademark names, and all other uses are expressly forbidden.
• It is Fraternity policy that any vendor who is invited to Fraternity events must be officially licensed by AFFINITY CONSULTANTS. Contact National Headquarters for further information.
• When creating the artwork, and prior to submission, the chapter should check that any graphics, wording, fonts, artwork, etc., do not contain copyrighted materials belonging to other companies or brands.
Trademark, Merchandise and Artwork Approval Form: Chapters must submit this form before ordering or selling any items and to use any Sigma Alpha Iota registered trademark names, the crest, and/or the badge on apparel or general SAI merchandise (non-chapter or non-province specific). The link for this form can be found on the SAI website, Chapters, and in the Officer Portal Document Library. Submit this completed form, along with samples of the proposed design, to National Headquarters at least four weeks prior to the date you plan to order the proposed item(s). Items submitted for approval will be assessed for both design accuracy as well as their consistency with the ideals of the Fraternity. National Headquarters will respond to your request by e-mail. Do not contract for, or purchase, the proposed item(s) until you have been given written approval to do so.
A list of licensed vendors is here.
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do we need approval for merchandise and artwork? First, so there is a record of items being sold by chapters. Second, when considering requests that come from chapters for merchandise approval, we not only consider SAI trademarks, but also how the item represents SAI, and whether chapters and individuals are infringing on some other copyright issues, for example, Disney logos or themes. Third, the Greek letters ΣAI and SAI, Sigma Alpha Iota name, the crest, and the badge are officially registered trademarks, and therefore, chapters and individuals may not use them without the express permission of SAI.
Can our chapter sell general SAI merchandise? Yes, to chapter members as part of a group order. If a chapter is planning to sell merchandise outside of the chapter—even to alumnae—the merchandise design/artwork must be chapter-specific and tied to an event, such as Province Day, chapter anniversary, or National Convention. Sigma Alpha Iota has its own boutique company (The Whistle Shop/Coastal Greek) which we partner with to create SAI designs that are not specific to a chapter.
Why can’t chapters sell general merchandise outside of the chapter? When chapters sell to the general public, they are acting as a commercial retailer, and that carries certain liabilities, as well as legal and tax implications.
Would sponsor logos be allowed on SAI merchandise? You would need to submit a list of possible sponsors with the approval form for the National Executive Board to consider; a written response will come from the NEB.
Can a fraternity member create SAI merchandise as part of her own business? If an individual decided to run, for example, an Etsy online store and wanted to sell SAI-specific products, she could apply and pay for the license to do that with our licensing company, and then she would be a retailer. More information on that can be obtained by calling National Headquarters.
Can we use Sigma Alpha Iota song lyrics when designing merchandise and artwork? Sigma Alpha Iota is able to grant permission for use of certain song lyrics, but it will depend on the item(s) and circ*mstances. For example, the beginning of the “Whistle Song” is used often. However, we don’t hold the copyright to the music of “So Near, So Dear.” That would require a different permission.
Submit this completed form, along with samples of the proposed design, to National Headquarters at least four weeks prior to the date you plan to order the proposed item(s).
Items submitted for approval will be assessed for both design accuracy as well as their consistency with the ideals of the Fraternity. National Headquarters or a chapter representative will respond to your request by e-mail. If you have any questions, please email National Headquarters at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please also refer to the SAI Official Merchandise Policy located in the Document Library of the Officer Portal.
Do not contract for, or purchase, the proposed item(s) until you have been given written approval to do so.
July 2024
