Licensees

The Pike Place Market PDA approves outside entities to use our trademarks for uses that will enhance the image of the Pike Place Market as defined by the Market’s Charter. Organizations or individuals outside the Market need to demonstrate that their use of our name or trademarks will enhance the goals of the PDA. In addition, any licensee will need to verify that all licensed products meet high quality standards, are manufactured in compliance with the Prohibition of Sweatshop Conditions, and are free of hazardous materials, among other requirements. Royalty rates will be set depending on type of use and may be required in advance.

If you are interested in obtaining a license to produce merchandise featuring the Market’s marks, please read the requirements summarized below and follow the steps to submit an application for consideration and approval from the PDA Council.

General Trademark Use Requirements

In all cases, the primary purpose of employing PDA trademarks is:

To enhance the image of the Pike Place Market as defined by the PDA Charter.
To cultivate shoppers and promote retail sales for Market merchants.
To further public appreciation of the traditional character, purposes, and products of the Market.

General Conditions For Licensed Use (9)

1. The proposed licensed use is consistent with the listed primary purposes.

In all cases, the primary purpose of employing PDA trademarks is:

To enhance the image of the Pike Place Market as defined by the PDA Charter.
To cultivate shoppers and promote retail sales for Market merchants.
To further public appreciation of the traditional character, purposes, and products of the Market.

2. The licensed use does not infringe upon licenses already granted, nor does it create confusion in the mind of the consumer.

The licensed use does not infringe upon licenses already granted, nor does it create confusion in the mind of the consumer, based on interpretation by the PDA.

3. The licensed use materially benefits and improves the Market community. Click to read more.

The licensed use materially benefits and improves the Market community by producing revenues not otherwise available through normal Market resources.

4. The licensed product is consistent with the use permits granted. Click to read more.

The licensed product is consistent with the use permits granted by the Pike Place Market Historical Commission for merchandise sold within the Market.

Additional information is available upon request.

5. Production methods of all licensed products must be consistent with our Daystall high standards. Click to read more.

5. Production methods of all licensed products must be consistent with the high standards established for Permitted Arts and Crafts:

The licensee must be closely involved with the design of each article.
The licensee must be closely involved with the production of each article.
Design and production standards should relate to the specific materials and processes used to produce the specific item.

Food products, books, and print reproduction from original artwork and photography are exempt from this requirement.

6. The majority of the licensed product must be derived from original artwork, design or craftsmanship.

The majority of the licensed product must be derived from original artwork, design or craftsmanship.

7. Food products considered for licensing, must follow these guidelines. Click to read more.

Food products considered for licensing will be those developed by Pike Place Market tenants who produce unique products with their own recipe (this condition is closely aligned with the trademark use requirement that calls for licensed items to further public appreciation of the traditional character, purpose and products of the Market). Creators of such food products could apply for a license to use the name Pike Place Market as part of their product name.

8. All products using Market trademarks are manufactured in compliance with the Prohibition of Sweatshop Conditions. Click to read more.

All products using Market trademarks are manufactured in compliance with the Prohibition of Sweatshop Conditions and free of hazardous materials. Upon request, applicant will disclose the names and locations of factories, and information about wages and working conditions, for all products using Market trademarks.

Please review the Prohibition of Sweatshop Conditions document.

9. Items not in compliance with standards established in Conditions 4 through 7 above, read below.

Items not in compliance with standards established in Conditions 4 through 7 above, but that demonstrate an extraordinary ability to meet the General Conditions for Licensed Use may, at the discretion of staff, be brought forward to the PDA Council for consideration.

Timeline

Applications to license the PDA’s trademarks are reviewed by PDA staff to determine if they meet the required guidelines. If so, we will advise the applicant of the terms (such as length of license and royalty fees) that we are willing to support and present to the Market Programs committee of the PDA Council. If approved by the committee, the application is then forwarded to the PDA Council for consideration. This process can take two months or longer. Upon approval, a Trademark Licensing Agreement is prepared by PDA staff. This agreement specifies the terms and other requirements, including the notice of trademark ownership that is required to be printed on each product and an insurance requirement. At the end of the process, the agreement is given to the licensee to sign.

Trademark License: Royalty Fees

There is no fee to apply for a trademark license. If an application is approved by the PDA Council, there is a non-refundable $375 start-up fee due before an agreement is drafted. The PDA will pay up to one hour of our legal costs in setting up the agreement; any additional legal expenses the PDA incurs in its work toward developing a Trademark Licensing Agreement for an applicant must be paid by the applicant. Royalty fees are charged and vary depending on the use, but are typically a percentage of sales.

Trademark License Application

Please complete the below application, only after reading all the information above.

Trademark Licensing Application