Roc Nation artist and North Carolina representer J. Cole released a single today entitled “Who dat“. I haven’t listened to the song yet but I have noticed there seems to be more than one work of art floating around the Internets in conjunction with this track. I don’t know which is the “official” one but I do have my reasons for believing that the artwork you see above isn’t the image they want to use to promote the Fayettenam native.

EXPLANATION: The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill will spank Jay-Z for using their logo without going through their bookies becoming an official license. Don’t believe me? Please continue to read:

In order for a business–which includes individuals–to make a commercial use of the University’s name or any of its other marks, that business must have permission to do so. Permission must be acquired either by a formal contract with the University or by obtaining a license through the University’s licensing agent, The Collegiate Licensing Company. Contractual permissions are specialized and are negotiated through the University’s attorneys, and therefore are not covered on this website.

The University directs The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to contract with a limited number of producers in order to make goods bearing University marks available for retail sale to the public. CLC issues licensing agreements for a limited number of suppliers in each of a broad range of merchandise categories. Both the business and the individual products that business produces must be approved in advance and in writing; when so approved the business becomes a “Licensee” and the individual products become “Licensed Products.”

The University, also through CLC, licenses on a very restricted basis the promotional use of University marks.

The normal steps in obtaining a license include the following:

1. A preliminary assessment, first, of the ability of the business to produce and distribute goods in accordance with University expectations; and second, of the market demand and competition levels for the envisioned goods;

2. The signing of a contract between CLC and the business;

3. Approval steps for each individual design.

If you are interested in obtaining a retail license, which allows you to produce goods bearing University marks, or a promotional license, which allows you to use University marks, you should contact Malaika Underwood at Collegiate Licensing Company:

Malaika Underwood
The Collegiate Licensing Company
290 Interstate North
Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30339

Phone: 770-956-0520
Email: munderwood@clc.com
Website: www.clc.com

Retailers interested in carrying licensed UNC-CH merchandise should consider using The Collegiate Exchange, an online catalogue and service provided by Collegiate Licensing Company at no charge. Go to www.clc.com and navigate to The Collegiate Exchange.

SOURCE: UNC Chapel Hill Trademark and Licensing website

Yeah, I know that’s a lot but I just wanted you to understand that colleges and universities are getting real strict on the unofficial use of their logos and colors and if they will bring the hammer down on a high school, then best believe that they will take Hova for a ride as well. So I guess that’s why shortly after his single was released, I started seeing this art work one pop-up:

Smart move Hov’ (or whoever made this decision). He might have 99 problems but getting sued for the unofficial use of one of the most powerful collegiate brands in the United States ain’t one.