CSX Licensing Program

[StillGrande]

CSX Trademark Licensing Program

Trademarks and service marks are precious corporate assets

CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries (“CSX”) convey their corporate image through trademarks, service marks and slogans, which promote recognition and communicate a sense of relationship among the companies within the CSX corporate umbrella. Service marks and trademarks are the names associated with services or goods. Proper use of the marks reinforces their distinctive identity and value, while unauthorized use and variation of the marks dilutes and undermines their marketing strength, the owner’s trademark rights and the economic value of the intellectual property asset.

No CSX marks may be used by third parties without express permission of the company that owns the mark, generally expressed in the form of a written permission or license.


All the applications can be found at
http://www.csxt.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=company.trademark

Most of the applications seem to be 2 pages (or less) of checkmarks (including model railroad items) fill in the blanks type questions. I noted a "fee" on the for-profit form, but not the non-profit.

The licensing form lists fees of up to $500 for 3+ reporting marks (there are 12 railroad names or entities listed, plus an "other" category) for making up to 500 items. Over 500 is "TBD" by CSX.

Given all the uproar over the UP program, I would be curious to see what Up is charging and why that translates into a $5+ bump in "licensed" manufacturers' products.

FYI and input

[darth9x9]

It will be interesting to see if the B&OHS will have to renegoiate their license from CSX as the B&OHS has had written permission for years to use CSX (and subsidiaries) trademarks for free.

[dehusman]

If its like the UP program, non-profit orgainizations (such as museums and historical societies) can use the the marks for free.

Dave H.