Duck brand rules burn local firms

Earlier this month, the UO’s office of marketing and brand management sent out a request for proposals for anyone seeking to manufacture Ducks apparel, requiring a guarantee starting July 1 of a least $500,000 a year in royalties to be paid to the UO.
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Many of the current licensees — including Lane County companies — haven’t come close to that in the past. Of the approximately 73 apparel licensees in 2012, only one Oregon firm — Springfield-based McKenzie SewOn — exceeded $100,000 in royalty payments, according to the UO’s office of merchandising. McKenzie SewOn could not be reached for comment.
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Henzie’s company isn’t the only one worried about the change. Rick Lieberson of T-Line Design in Canby, said that UO related sales make up about ten percent of his business and he had expected that to grow. “Nobody in Oregon will be able to do this, so it will have to be out of state,” Lieberson said. “I don’t think anyone’s going to bite.”