You have probably heard Ohio State players, coaches, fans and alums refer to the school as âTHEâ Ohio State University. Now, the university is trying to get a trademark based off that phrasing.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben uncovered a trademark application for the word âtheâ by OSU, filed on August 8. The school is planning on using the word on the front of shirts, hats and other merchandise.
However, Gerben thinks this claim âhas issues from the start.â
âIn order for a trademark to be registered for a brand of clothing, the trademark must be used in a trademark fashion,â he said. âIn other words, it has to be used on tagging or labeling for the products. In this case, just putting the word âtheâ on the front of a shirt is not sufficient trademark use.â
The Ohio State University has filed a trademark application on the word "THE." The filing, made on August 8th, indicates #OhioState is offering a brand of "THE" clothing. Not sure how 'The U' will feel about this one. My analysis ð:#BuckeyeNation #MiamiHurricanes pic.twitter.com/1UvLOAOnIc â Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) August 13, 2019
You can see in the clip above the word âTHEâ is the only thing appearing on the front of this merchandise. Thatâs why Gerben says the claim is a bit flimsy.
Have to admit, it is an interesting move by Ohio State, even if it seems unlikely to work.
The shirts look pretty cool but the school might have to rethink this campaign a little.
satonabug on August 14th, 2019 at 04:20 UTC »
The ™ Ohio ® State ©
jackluke on August 14th, 2019 at 03:50 UTC »
Am now calling them An Ohio State University
thetalkingbrony on August 14th, 2019 at 03:15 UTC »
At this rate the onion is gonna file for bankruptcy.