THIS is how school logo trademark issues should be handled.

aTotal360

Heisman
Nov 12, 2009
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Didn't a few years ago, Texas get a hardon over a TX HS using their logo? Seems like a great way to piss off a fan base over nothing.
 
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Dawgzilla2

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2022
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Didn't a few years ago, Texas get a hardon over a TX HS using their logo? Seems like a great way to piss off a fan base over nothing.
Schools are in a difficult position. If you dont police your marks, you risk losing the right to enforce them.

But, the attorneys send their harsh cease and desist letter, and that gets leaked to the press, when really they could just communicate openly and work something out....like a cheap license, or an agreement regarding steps to avoid confusion.

Several High Schols used to have Col. Reb on their helmets, and I always wondered if there was some kind of deal in place.
 

11thEagleFan

All-Conference
Sep 6, 2015
2,948
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Wouldn’t it just make sense for the holder of the mark (I’m assuming Green Bay) to license the use of their mark with those same conditions for something like $1 a year?
 

Dawgzilla2

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2022
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Yeah. Starkville pays Georgia Tech $1 a year. And West Point does the same with Tulane I believe.
Different situations. A college or NFL team doesn't have to worry much about consumer confusion from supporters of some remote High School team. The worst that can happen, typically, is some people may think the trademark owner has given some type of approval or endorsement to the school.

Grambling, Georgia, and Green Bay all have logos on merchandise sold through the same channels of trade. They each have the need to enforce their trademark rights against unlicensed use, without involving the others. And its more complicated, since Green Bay gave both schools permission to use the logos back in the 60s and 70s, when the trademarks were far less valuable.

A concurrent use agreement makes more sense. They draw up lines of demarcation, and then each party is on their own to use and enforce their mark in their realm.
 
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Maroon Eagle

All-American
May 24, 2006
17,995
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Several High Schols used to have Col. Reb on their helmets, and I always wondered if there was some kind of deal in place.

There isn’t a deal in place.

Ole Miss would rather limit access to Colonel Rebel

 

Dawgzilla2

All-Conference
Oct 9, 2022
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I was in an Atlanta hotel lobby a few months ago, and they were having a charity silent auction with some sports and entertainment memorabilia. One of the items was a matte black Georgia helmet signed by DJ Shockley. I was staring at the helmet, trying to remember if UGA ever wore matte black helmets, and whether it would have been when Shockley played.

Some passer by saw me staring and asked "Are you a Packers fan?" I just laughed and moved on...I wasn't sure if he was joking, or if I should explain.