As part of a continuing effort to delineate what is and what is not an acceptable use of the Harvard name, the University's trademark office has asked Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) to pay the University royalties on its line of Harvard insignia merchandise.

Harvard requires that all companies that manufacture its apparel pay the University a 7.5 percent royalty.

Because of an understanding with the University that has been in place for over six years, HSA's business is currently the only exception to that policy. Harvard's trademark office calls the exemption inherently unfair.

"[HSA's] been getting away with this for a long time," said Enrique J. Calixto, the University's United States trademarks administrator. "No other Harvard group or part of the University would be allowed to open a store and sell generic insignia products to the public."

Members of the HSA board of directors, composed of students, alumni and Harvard administrators, met last night but declined to comment.

Calixto said the understanding that allows HSA to sell insignia merchandise royalty-free was instituted by one of his predecessors and only recently came to his attention. He contacted HSA three days ago to notify them that things would have to change.

"I called them and I asked, 'Would you please conform to the licensing rules?'" he said.

Calixto repeatedly characterized his decision as a matter of simple fairness.