UCLA Gateway

(Established March 1, 2005)

Acceptable Use Matrix

Introduction 

In his book "Marketing for Non-Profit Organizations," author and professor of international marketing Philip Kotler defines advertising as “Any paid form of non-personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services by an identified sponsor.” In the context of websites, advertising can be recognized by the use of banner ads, corporate and product logos (depending on context), value statements (“leading supplier”, “best deal”, “no. 1,” etc.), links to commercial sites, and statements urging actions resulting in commercial transactions (“buy now,” “don’t miss this opportunity to order,” etc.).

The presence of a corporate or product logo on a University website, or the ability to conduct University business via electronic transactions external to the University, do not in themselves constitute advertising or commercial content. Corporate/donor acknowledgement is permissible within guidelines, provided it does not imply endorsement, support or advancement of any product or service.

Purpose

This guideline is intended to provide Web administrators and designers, department heads and other Web content decision-makers with basic principles, supported by examples, of acceptable and unacceptable advertising and acknowledgement on UCLA websites. These principles are based on the California Education Code and University of California policy, which clearly define the manner in which the name “University of California” and all of its various forms and abbreviations, logos and trademarks may or may not be used. In general, the expressed or implied endorsement of a product, service or position external to the University may not appear on a UCLA website. Certain types of advertising or acknowledgement on the Web may be permissible as described in the following matrix.

In addition, these Guidelines are intended to alert campus personnel to the potential federal income tax consequences associated with permissible types of advertising activities. The tax principles are based on existing tax laws and regulations under Internal Revenue Code Sections 512 and 513, pertaining to Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) for Tax-Exempt Organizations. For more information, contact UCLA Tax Services at (310) 794-6724 or go to their website by clicking the link in Related Information.

Guiding Principles for Advertising on the Web

1. Any advertising, overtly favorable acknowledgement or endorsement of third-party products and services on a UCLA website is not permitted. Using a UCLA site to promote a UCLA extracurricular activity (such as Performing Arts or Athletics) is considered permissible advertising.
2. UCLA websites must not subject students, faculty and staff to commercial messages not under the auspices of the University in the conduct of UCLA’s core academic and administrative activities. This is a violation of University policy. More leeway is appropriate for sites related to sanctioned extracurricular activities or information (e.g., the Alumni Association, Project Literacy UCLA, etc.).
3. Commercial and quasi-commercial content on UCLA web pages should:
   • be directly related to the core business of the University and to the specific instance of that business represented by the web page in question (e.g., the UCLA Conference Center web page describing Lake Arrowhead and its amenities);
   • contribute to the greater good of the University;
   • be consistent with existing policy and guidelines.

Guidelines for Corporate Acknowledgement 

Consistent with the University of California status as a charitable organization, campus departments may acknowledge corporate/donor contributions they receive, as long as the acknowledgements do not promote the sponsor and do not contain comparative or qualitative descriptions of the sponsor's products, services, facilities, or companies. An acknowledgement of this type is excluded from income tax. Acknowledgements that do not adhere to these guidelines and that are determined to result in income to the University may be subject to Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT).

In general, allowable forms of acknowledgement include:

• name of the sponsor in the title of the event;
• sponsor logos and slogans that do not contain qualitative or comparative descriptions of the sponsor’s products, services, facilities, or company. Sponsor’s logos and slogans that are an established part of the sponsor’s identity are not considered qualitative or comparative descriptions;
• sponsor brand or trade names; and
• lists of contributors to an event or organization.

• For examples of acceptable and unacceptable website content, see Acceptable Use Matrix. 
• For questions concerning advertising and acknowledgements on the web, including third party use of the UCLA name on their website, contact UCLA External Affairs, University Communications at (310) 794-6968; email: marketing@support.ucla.edu.
• For questions concerning income tax liability, contact UCLA Tax Services at (310) 794-6724 or go to their website by clicking the link in Related Information.

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Acceptable Use Matrix