The University of Hawai'i says it is flattered that so many people want to produce its popular T-shirts and other logo items but is warning fans to be wary of unlicensed products in circulation.

With the popularity of the unbeaten (12-0), Sugar Bowl-bound Warrior football team, UH said it has been made aware that non-licensed products, including "some with designs that some people may find offensive," have surfaced, according to Carolyn Tanaka, UH vice president for external affairs and university relations.

She said UH appreciates the support of people wearing logo items, including the popular Warrior "H", but said the money derived from officially licensed sales also goes to support UH and help underwrite scholarships. "We don't receive any (revenue) from non-licensed items," Tanaka said.

Tanaka said the school has 147 licensed vendors who pay UH an 8 percent wholesale rights fee. From July through November, UH received $195,000 in royalties compared with $115,000 the same period in 2006.

Royalties are expected to go much higher since sales of UH items began to take off in November as UH made its run for a perfect regular season.

Tanaka said UH is encouraging shoppers to look for a trademark tag and, usually, hologram sticker that denote properly licensed logo wear and items. Shoppers and other vendors have made the school aware of "counterfeit items," Tanaka said. She said the school, through its agent, has prepared cease-and-desist orders as a prelude to possible legal action but has yet to serve any.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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