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General Ohio University Discussion/Alumni Events

Topic: Our trademark on t-shirts

Topic: Our trademark on t-shirts

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RPO R6V
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Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/5/2011 1:19:36 PM

The alumni association's Facebook page recently promoted this online store (owned by an Ohio grad):

http://www.homage.com/store/tees-tops?sort=6d&page=11

There's some retro Ohio stuff (which made me wonder if they have a license to make and sell it), but looking at the site a little longer I noticed not only a lot of OSUcks stuff, but in particular the grey shirt with "OHIO" in red (scarlet) letters. Is this worth calling to anyone's attention? If so, whose? Someone else in the Facebook thread brought up Nike selling "about a dozen different red shirts that say OHIO" so I checked their site too:

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pwp,c-1+100701/f-1...

I'm going to assume that the shirts in question there are meant to replicate the chant, "O, H, I, O" and therefore are "legal" (is this a good assumption?) but it still pisses me off.

bornacatfan
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/7/2011 9:08:15 PM

I meant to ask this question a few weeks ago when i was in the Lancaster Wallly WOrld. Red Shirts with grey OHIO and a buckeye on them and Grey shirts with e opposite. Very clearly on the rack with all the other OSU gear. Not Ohio State just Block OHIO and a bucknut on the imprint, Blatant and obvious to me ......but I am a bit biased.

Then there are these examples very clearly n the tO$U section. .

Last Edited: 11/7/2011 9:09:19 PM by bornacatfan

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/8/2011 9:16:46 AM

Bornacatfan - very interesting. It seems to me as though what you show are examples of somebody trying to make a buck (no pun inteded) from selling shirts to Ohio State fans without using their trademarks or paying their licensing fees. (Oh, the irony!) TOSU probably doesn't like these shirts any more than we do, but in this particular case it might be tough for either school to do anything about it. I'm certainly not a lawyer, but I seem to remember reading that anyone can sell what are ostensibly "souvenier shirts" with the name of a state on them. Still, I assume TOSU might have some success if they wanted to go after the manufacturer of these particular shirts since they just happen to be red and grey and have buckeyes on them - seems to be a pretty clear what they're trying to do. I live in metro Detroit and this reminds me of the hats, shirts and jackets I see in almost every gas station/convenience store with the Olde English "D" and/or script "Detroit" embroidered on them - but not in the team colors of the Detroit Tigers, of course!

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/8/2011 2:21:27 PM

I just forwarded a link to this thread to OU Legal. Might as well let someone know about it who is in a position to do something about it if appropriate.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/8/2011 4:27:41 PM

Thanks! Please let us know if you hear anything back.

Bobcatbob
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Location: Coolville, OH
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/8/2011 4:36:00 PM

I know we have some lawyerly minds hereabouts so let me play devil's advocate on this one.

I can't imagine that Ohio University has the right to question every use of the name OHIO, whether on apparel or souvenirs. We live in Ohio, after all, and this stuff doesn't look like a football or basketball jersey.

And, does the fact that this particular merchandise, in Ohio State colors, is displayed with other legal(?), branded Ohio State merchandise, give OSU just as much interest in a suit as Ohio (THE state University) has?

I'm not trying to start a trademark war but it seems a more blatant rip-off of A&M than Ohio - if either.

Bert Presley
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/11/2011 11:22:17 AM

If you look at the shirt on the right, it clearly has the numbers 03 on it, proving it is a State of Ohio Product. The sweatshirt on the left is what would raise my eyebrows a little. There is nothing someone from making an OHIO shirt with blue on it, or purple, those we have no problem with. Yet red and Green are some sticky issues here.

I am and forever will be the Wizard of OU.

DocBobcat was my Principal; and is still one cool Cat.

OHIO BOBCATS 2011,2012 MAC EAST FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS
2012 Independence Bowl Champions
2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Champions
2011 MAC Tournament Champions (Field Hockey)
2012 MAC Tournament Champions (Mens Basketball)
2012 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 (Mens Basketball)

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/14/2011 3:43:29 PM

More shirts that walk the fine line (bottom of the page): http://www.staygra.com/stay-proud

Bert Presley
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/14/2011 3:47:45 PM

and 2 of those I would say are in question, the one with the buckeyes as Os should be viewed as a suspect.

I am and forever will be the Wizard of OU.

DocBobcat was my Principal; and is still one cool Cat.

Ohio69
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/15/2011 4:06:37 PM

My undersanding is that Ohio University has periodic, direct discussions with Ohio State University at very high leadership levels regarding trademark infringement issues.

Last Edited: 11/15/2011 4:07:34 PM by Ohio69

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/20/2011 2:22:21 AM

Tell 'em to be more direct. What they're doing now ain't workin'.

Bobcat Swag
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 2/24/2012 5:52:40 AM

OhioCatFan wrote:

I just forwarded a link to this thread to OU Legal. Might as well let someone know about it who is in a position to do something about it if appropriate.

So are you going to be personally footing the legal bill if they do anything about it or is that just another thing that is going to come out of my tuition? Seriously, we have bigger fish to fry, like maybe fixing Bentley Hall so it's not an oven all the time.

"Good leaders being scarce, following yourself is allowed."

OhioCatFan
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 2/24/2012 10:32:16 AM

Don't worry, it's all part of the Legal Affairs Office Budget. They did answer my email, BTW, and thanked me for the heads up.

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/14/2012 3:38:26 PM

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but the "We Are OHIO" thing has been getting under my skin more and more lately. This is still out there: http://www.homage.com/store/tees-tops/t-shirts/collegiate/ohio-state/block-ohio Also, I've come across some more t-shirts and hats that fall into this category. If someone can please educate me on how to post photographs I would greatly appreciate it. I'll post some more stuff that will clearly prove I need to get a life and stop yelling at those kids to get off my lawn.

Last Saturday, after taking in the Buffalo-Ohio game in Athens, I glanced at a TV showing a pre-game show before the Nebraska-Columbus A&M game (not that I was very interested). I think it must have been Columbus' ABC affiliate. There was a "crawl" at the bottom of the screen showing college football scores, so of course just for fun I watched for ours. They listed us as "Ohio U.". The next day I was driving behind a Jeep that had a window decal that was a cartoon drawing of some people in scarlet and grey using their arms to spell "OHIO" like the whole "YMCA" dance, and below it was "O-H-I-O" in scarlet letters. Ugh. (Yeah, I know, I need to get a life.)

Continuing my grumpy-old-man rant, does anyone know why the Adidas T-shirt "TheRealO-H-I-O" is using for his avatar is not available for purchase at ANY of the retailers in Athens as far as I can tell? Does anyone have contacts at Follett's and/or College Book Store I can write to? And, am I the only one who things this design would make a terrific bumper sticker or window cling of some sort?

bornacatfan
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/14/2012 6:40:01 PM

I am with you on that. While at Speedway in London OH I walked out behind a guy wearing "we are O-H-I-O" on his back. Kind of looked like a prick so I said merely....I think actually. YOu are State...He got a little pissed.

I don t know if Legal is doing their job but OUr teams are doing theirs. Not sure what is to be done but the sheep are reproducing unchecked. Seems to me the flock following A&M with the Marketing arm at the school is growing the brand and is in danger of soon far overshadowing the 2 professional football teams in the press and in the eyes of the populace of the state.

bobcatsquared
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/16/2012 7:35:50 PM

RPO R6V wrote:

RPO R6V,

If you need to get a life, then so do I. What drives you crazy has been the bane of my existence for several decades. I've asked in several posts over the past few months for any assistance in finding the t-shirt you mentioned. I would love to wear it around central Ohio for all ignorant osu inc. fans to take notice. This shirt, IMO, needs to be out there in large numbers.

Borna,

Keep fighting the good fight.

Last Edited: 10/16/2012 7:42:15 PM by bobcatsquared

Ryan Carey
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/16/2012 8:49:06 PM

It's pretty obvious all the different online stores out there just collect the orders for 1 fulfillment center, our own ohiobobcats.com shop included. Everyone of these "slap your name and logo at the top and we'll give you a cut of the profits" show the shirt in question, but only available in small and medium.

http://www.fansedge.com/Ohio-Bobcats-Black-adidas-The-Real-Ohio-Slogan-T-Shirt-_-516146605_PD.html

Ryan M. Carey
BBA 2001

bobcatsquared
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/16/2012 8:56:44 PM

Obviously, I've seen that offer. Unfortunately, I need a larger size.

Last Edited: 10/16/2012 8:57:32 PM by bobcatsquared

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/19/2012 9:14:44 PM

Ryan Carey, I know what you mean about a bunch of different sites seemingly selling stuff from the same fulfillment center (I noticed this when I decided to buy a hat like the one(s) Solich wears on the sidelines). But ironically that Adidas shirt is nowhere to be found in the store at OhioBobcats.com.

bobcatsquared and borna (and everyone else in this thread) - glad to know I'm not alone on this. Far from it, it seems.

Here's some photos just for the hell of it (I still can't figure out how to embed 'em):

Taken through the window of an Ann Arbor t-shirt shop this summer:
www.flickr.com/photos/80341273@N06/8104113309/

Taken at Autorama (Detroit) 2012:
www.flickr.com/photos/80341273@N06/8104112635/

This one just kills me. A football autographed by Jim Tressel. I'm inferring after he was fired he wasn't allowed to use the name of his former employer when signing memorabilia:

www.flickr.com/photos/80341273@N06/8104130670/

Last Edited: 10/19/2012 9:39:02 PM by RPO R6V

RSBobcat
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/19/2012 11:51:46 PM

RPO R6V wrote:

After last march, I think Michigone does want to "beat ohio" - ?

Any bucknut who wears the red & grey "OHIO" hat - who is the joke on anyway?

Personally, I think the "Real Ohio" message implies an inferiority complex more than anything else.

OHIO, OU, .......OU, Oh Yeah! if it's Green and White, from the Green and White, by and of the Green and White, then it's pretty obvious. To all but an obsessive/compulsive few................

Last Edited: 10/19/2012 11:52:16 PM by RSBobcat

RS Bobcat

RPO R6V
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/21/2012 11:58:36 AM

[/QUOTE]

After last march, I think Michigone does want to "beat ohio" - ?

Any bucknut who wears the red & grey "OHIO" hat - who is the joke on anyway?

[/QUOTE]

I'll agree with you that tOSU should be a lot more upset about that hat than we should. There's somebody making money without paying a dime in licensing fees.

I don't have an inferiority complex. I would have paid to go to Ohio before I would have gone to Ohio State U. for free. Yes, most of the time it's obvious that "O.U." and "Ohio U." refer to The Ohio University or, in an athletic context, Ohio. Maybe I'm obsessive/compulsive; maybe I'm one of just a few who feel this way - but to me this is about identity, image, and "branding" if you will.

I do need to "get a life" I suppose, but if all joking and poking fun at the pretentious use of the word "The" aside, if you don't think this is important at all I guess we'll just have to agree and to disagree and cheer on the Bobcats together sometime over a beer. (I'll wear my OHIO t-shirt and you can wear one with the old "OU" logo on it that looks like a high school ripped off Oklahoma's logo.)

RSBobcat
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 10/22/2012 9:23:30 PM

RPO R6V wrote:

[/QUOTE]

After last march, I think Michigone does want to "beat ohio" - ?

Any bucknut who wears the red & grey "OHIO" hat - who is the joke on anyway?

[/QUOTE]

Sure - though how 'bout I wear a "Bobcats", or "Harvard on the Hocking", or "1804", or "Stand Up & Cheer", or "Attack Cat" logo only, or maybe even a "Paw" logo only, or possibly one of the "Retro Bobcat" logo only....................

BTW - I have no issue w/the aggressive licensing fees initiatives. I just don't want us to get too limited in how we show OUr pride, and heritage...........

RS Bobcat

bornacatfan
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/4/2012 8:40:13 AM

I have taken the approach to Replying to the O-H with a simple S-T on the street and in reply to social media. Seems to be a real thread killer on FB. IF they ask on the street or on the computer I will be happy to explain

Facebook.

Bryan Watkins

Yesterday via mobile.

O-H
Like · .

Toyia Day-Long Go big blue???? Lol.... I wouldn't do this for anybody else but you.... I-O

Yesterday at 10:34am via mobile · Like · 1..

Rob Stewart O no

23 hours ago via mobile · Like..

Tom Freeman S-T

22 hours ago · Like

Last Edited: 11/4/2012 8:44:43 AM by bornacatfan

TheGreenFever
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/8/2012 1:48:24 PM

I agree "they" need to realize they are state and not just Ohio. My wife was getting mad at me a few weeks ago when we attended a OSU football game (the tickets were free so why not) and every time someone yelled O-H and someone else yelled I-O, I yelled as loud as I could S-T, but people just looked at me weird. Plus I was wearing my Ohio jacket so they should have caught on but some were too drunk and stupid to realize.

OhioCatFan
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RE: Our trademark on t-shirts

Posted: 11/10/2012 10:58:15 PM

Doc, two threads in a row and you're right on! I love the "ST" reply to the Bucknut arrogant and obnoxious name-stealing cheer. You're on a roll, my man.... keep it up!

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Bryan Watkins

Yesterday via mobile.

O-H Like · .

Toyia Day-Long Go big blue???? Lol.... I wouldn't do this for anybody else but you.... I-O

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