Ohio State University tried to get a trademark on the word “the” so they could license merchandise with the word “THE” on it, playing off the school’s ridiculous insistence on calling themselves “The Ohio State University.” At the time, the University of Michigan brutally trolled their rival for its attempt to pervert IP law to its whims. Today, the USPTO agreed with Michigan.
The application never made much sense, as IP attorney Josh Gerben methodically explained. The school will have to go back to relying on its multimillion dollar empire of established IP sales made off the backs of unpaid athletes.
And so ends one of the stupidest chapters in intellectual property history.
Earlier: Ohio State Tries To Trademark The Most Common Word In The English Language
University Of Michigan Deals Devastating Intellectual Property Blow To Ohio State Legal Department
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.
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