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Topic: OSU sues over O-H-I-O logo
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Bobcat110
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Posted: 7/17/2014 9:17 AM
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I guess as of 2012, they own a trademark on O-H-I-O.
Dexcat
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Posted: 7/17/2014 9:53 AM
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It's a sad day that we live in, when institutions of higher learning are suing over trademarks that actually promote the institution. 
Casper71
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Posted: 7/17/2014 10:31 AM
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And, why did OHIO allow Ohio State to register that trademark in the first place if it is OUrs?  it's just hard to believe there remains so much confusion and discussion over this topic.

I hate to say it but since they are the big dog they will probably win the arguement over who owns O-H-I-O stuff even if it is OUr name.  And it looks like they are NOT going to give up infringing on O-H-I-O.  That is why I have ALWAYS felt  O-H-I-O- U! or Ohio University was a much better identifier for us than O-H-I-O..  You can use that U at the end in so many advantageous ways and we are all proud of the full name of the institution...OHIO University!  Too bad the Ohio State is not as proud of their rightful full name!    

Hard to believe how much time and energy has gone into this frivilous issue. Just tell the t-shirt guy to put a U at the end of the O-H-I-O thing.
C Money
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Posted: 7/17/2014 10:38 AM
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I think it's just the image of the arms spelling "O-H-I-O" that they're claiming, not the letters O, H, I, and O.

But we do need to do a better job of protecting our IP. Didn't someone a couple months ago say they mentioned the "Ohio" trademark lawsuit to our in-house counsel and counsel knew nothing about it?
Bobcat110
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Posted: 7/17/2014 11:51 AM
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C Money wrote:expand_more
I think it's just the image of the arms spelling "O-H-I-O" that they're claiming, not the letters O, H, I, and O.

But we do need to do a better job of protecting our IP. Didn't someone a couple months ago say they mentioned the "Ohio" trademark lawsuit to our in-house counsel and counsel knew nothing about it?


Yeah...not sure how Ohio State University gets a trademark on any version of just O-H-I-O.  Even if it's because they spell it out with their arms.  

 
perimeterpost
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Posted: 7/17/2014 5:52 PM
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OSU logic- we hate that Brady Hoke for calling us Ohio.... we copy right logos that say Ohio.
The Optimist
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Posted: 7/17/2014 6:29 PM
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I also understood it to be the arms and not the letters.
 

That considered, I still dont like it. If the University isn't allowed to sue another in-state school via the AG have the alumni association do it. Or get a group of like-minded alums who can feel their degrees being devalued to take action. Hmm.

D.A.
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Posted: 7/17/2014 7:55 PM
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I recently concluded some fairly comprehensive research on the OHIO trademark agreement between OHIO and State, and I can tell you all that the agreement made during the lawsuit is not nearly as restrictive on State as I had originally been led to believe.  My intention was to start a petition of OHIO alumni and interested parties to lobby the BoD to be more vigilant in restricting State's use of the singular "ohio", but the agreement permits many historic uses of "ohio" by State in cheers, script ohio and the like.  Due to the very liberal protections provided State, I decided to ditch my efforts.

If anyone here would like some background on the topic, PM me, and I'll share some of the documentation I collected.
Last Edited: 7/17/2014 7:56:34 PM by D.A.
Pataskala
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Posted: 7/17/2014 7:57 PM
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The Optimist wrote:expand_more

I also understood it to be the arms and not the letters.
 

That considered, I still dont like it. If the University isn't allowed to sue another in-state school via the AG have the alumni association do it. Or get a group of like-minded alums who can feel their degrees being devalued to take action. Hmm.



It's an interesting thought.  Use of "Ohio" by O$U causes confusion between having a degree from Ohio's first and finest, and the piece of paper from the school up northwest whose football coach resigned because of tattoo-gate (has nothing to do with Fantasy Island) and whose president resigned after slurring Catholics.  Problem is, you'd have to show actual harm: didn't a job or a raise because somebody thought you were Buckin' Nuts. 
BillyTheCat
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Posted: 7/21/2014 3:03 AM
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D.A. wrote:expand_more
I recently concluded some fairly comprehensive research on the OHIO trademark agreement between OHIO and State, and I can tell you all that the agreement made during the lawsuit is not nearly as restrictive on State as I had originally been led to believe. My intention was to start a petition of OHIO alumni and interested parties to lobby the BoD to be more vigilant in restricting State's use of the singular "ohio", but the agreement permits many historic uses of "ohio" by State in cheers, script ohio and the like. Due to the very liberal protections provided State, I decided to ditch my efforts.

If anyone here would like some background on the topic, PM me, and I'll share some of the documentation I collected.

I've always contended the settlement was not what some on this board thought it was.
Deciduous Forest Cat
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Posted: 7/21/2014 2:51 PM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
I recently concluded some fairly comprehensive research on the OHIO trademark agreement between OHIO and State, and I can tell you all that the agreement made during the lawsuit is not nearly as restrictive on State as I had originally been led to believe. My intention was to start a petition of OHIO alumni and interested parties to lobby the BoD to be more vigilant in restricting State's use of the singular "ohio", but the agreement permits many historic uses of "ohio" by State in cheers, script ohio and the like. Due to the very liberal protections provided State, I decided to ditch my efforts.

If anyone here would like some background on the topic, PM me, and I'll share some of the documentation I collected.



I've always contended the settlement was not what some on this board thought it was.


I'm not reading anything in the description above that is a surprise. That's how I remember the agreement. Things like script ohio and ohio stadium would be protected.  However, they could not identify themselves on apparel or their uniforms solely as OHIO. obviously we can't control what the sheeple say at games, and we need to do much better about taking ownership on the OHIO side.  To what degree is "Script Ohio" their property? A picture of their band doing their thing, whatever. the word Ohio, written in cursive in black? That's B.S. and as far as I'm concerned is our intellectual property.
D.A.
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Posted: 7/21/2014 3:08 PM
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Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
I recently concluded some fairly comprehensive research on the OHIO trademark agreement between OHIO and State, and I can tell you all that the agreement made during the lawsuit is not nearly as restrictive on State as I had originally been led to believe. My intention was to start a petition of OHIO alumni and interested parties to lobby the BoD to be more vigilant in restricting State's use of the singular "ohio", but the agreement permits many historic uses of "ohio" by State in cheers, script ohio and the like. Due to the very liberal protections provided State, I decided to ditch my efforts.

If anyone here would like some background on the topic, PM me, and I'll share some of the documentation I collected.



I've always contended the settlement was not what some on this board thought it was.


I'm not reading anything in the description above that is a surprise. That's how I remember the agreement. Things like script ohio and ohio stadium would be protected.  However, they could not identify themselves on apparel or their uniforms solely as OHIO. obviously we can't control what the sheeple say at games, and we need to do much better about taking ownership on the OHIO side.  To what degree is "Script Ohio" their property? A picture of their band doing their thing, whatever. the word Ohio, written in cursive in black? That's B.S. and as far as I'm concerned is our intellectual property.

Unfortunately, merchandise of script Ohio is specifically allowed in the agreement.

Would anyone have value for me posting the full agreement in the General discussion section of the message board?  These discussions come up so frequently that I believe many here would appreciate it, but don't want to hog the server volume with twelve pages of an agreement without Ted's agreement/support as well.

 
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 7/21/2014 6:40 PM
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D.A. wrote:expand_more
If anyone here would like some background on the topic, PM me, and I'll share some of the documentation I collected.


Yes, please do.  I haven't found anything here that has surprised me, as I have a general idea of what the agreement  entailed, though I've never seen the actual agreement wording.  I was given an official "executive summary" of it at the time.  From what I remember, this hand gesture O-H-I-O thing would be within the letter of the agreement, but not the spirit of it.  

I will add that if we had not reached this agreement out of court, OSU was going to lose big time in court, that's why they changed their position from one of utter defiance to one of conciliation. Their lawyers could see the handwriting on the wall after OHIO produced evidence of early uses of just "Ohio" to refer to our institution that predate any such use by the usurpers.  I personally think that we gave them too many exemptions, but Glidden and the Kirwan were good personal friends and Bob was a man of restraint and goodwill in the negotiations.  If it was me, I would have gone for the jugular! 

 
D.A.
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Posted: 7/22/2014 10:47 AM
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For those interested, I just posted the Settlement Agreement in the General Discussion section of the Message Board.  Enjoy, or not, as is my feeling regarding the agreement, in which I feel we gave far too much latitude to them.
Casper71
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Posted: 7/22/2014 4:42 PM
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If the agreement is "less" restrictive" than so many thought I would continue to say: What did the agreement do to help differentiate the two institutions?  Confusion appears to still reign.  I still like Ohio University or OU or Ohio U much better than Ohio.  And i think those three monikers make the distinction between the two schools just fine.  If "they" use anything with just OHIO they win at our expense.  And, they are continuing to use OHIO singularly and win the war. 
El Gato Roberto
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Posted: 7/22/2014 6:38 PM
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what's the university's recruiting campaign nowadays...the only thing missing is "U"?

Maybe the time has come to "embrace the U".
(I am hunkering down in my shelter preparing for the expected retaliation)
catfan28
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Posted: 7/22/2014 7:05 PM
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To me, the "U" just screams second rate. It conjures up images of 1980's football, Harold McElhaney, Charlie Ping and the old Peden press box. In other words, all that is mediocre about Ohio University and Ohio Athletics.

There's no major university that has to have a "U" after its name. Why should we? The only reason it ever came into use was because of that school in Columbus. And you're kidding yourself if you think otherwise. When we use the "U", we are capitulating to them that we're not worthy of the state name.

Now, to me, "OU" is another story. I use it all the time. Plenty of universities go by initials, at least within their local region/communities. But nationally, we are (and should be) Ohio. Plain and simple.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 7/22/2014 8:35 PM
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catfan28 wrote:expand_more
To me, the "U" just screams second rate. It conjures up images of 1980's football, Harold McElhaney, Charlie Ping and the old Peden press box. In other words, all that is mediocre about Ohio University and Ohio Athletics.

There's no major university that has to have a "U" after its name. Why should we? The only reason it ever came into use was because of that school in Columbus. And you're kidding yourself if you think otherwise. When we use the "U", we are capitulating to them that we're not worthy of the state name.

Now, to me, "OU" is another story. I use it all the time. Plenty of universities go by initials, at least within their local region/communities. But nationally, we are (and should be) Ohio. Plain and simple.



+1

Exactly, as the research showed at the time of the law suit, the school in Athens was referred to as OHIO for many years before OSU stole the name.  Then we started using "Ohio U" as way of saying we are NOT Ohio State University.  The "U" is a way to say that were that little pipsqueak in Athens, not The OHIO State University.  It's a symbol of a low self image.  Interestingly, throughout the "U" years, the uniforms of Ohio University teams always just said, "OHIO."  So there was always a remnant of the our real athletic name.  Now, with Bobcat pride at a high level, it's time to embrace OHIO and reject the "U" forever. 
 
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OhioCatFan
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Posted: 7/22/2014 9:33 PM
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Does the O-H-I-O hand gesture trademark seem consistent with this section of the agreement?

B. Ohio State agrees that it will not use the designation "OHIO" in connection with its athletic team uniforms or for apparel and/or licensed merchandise, except for historical and/or present uses consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
RSBobcat
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Posted: 7/22/2014 10:23 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
To me, the "U" just screams second rate. It conjures up images of 1980's football, Harold McElhaney, Charlie Ping and the old Peden press box. In other words, all that is mediocre about Ohio University and Ohio Athletics.

There's no major university that has to have a "U" after its name. Why should we? The only reason it ever came into use was because of that school in Columbus. And you're kidding yourself if you think otherwise. When we use the "U", we are capitulating to them that we're not worthy of the state name.

Now, to me, "OU" is another story. I use it all the time. Plenty of universities go by initials, at least within their local region/communities. But nationally, we are (and should be) Ohio. Plain and simple.



+1

Exactly, as the research showed at the time of the law suit, the school in Athens was referred to as OHIO for many years before OSU stole the name.  Then we started using "Ohio U" as way of saying we are NOT Ohio State University.  The "U" is a way to say that were that little pipsqueak in Athens, not The OHIO State University.  It's a symbol of a low self image.  Interestingly, throughout the "U" years, the uniforms of Ohio University teams always just said, "OHIO."  So there was always a remnant of the our real athletic name.  Now, with Bobcat pride at a high level, it's time to embrace OHIO and reject the "U" forever. 
 
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Prez McDavis was quoted in the Dispatch in the last week referring to us as "OU". 

 
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 7/22/2014 10:32 PM
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The only ones that object to "OU" in reference to Ohio University are the University of Oklahoma (aka Dyslexia U.) and Vernon Alden.  Prez McDavis is the one who put into practice the use of OHIO as a reference to the university in all its publications and on the website.  He stresses OHIO constantly, so an occasional use of "OU" is certainly not a big deal.  Now, if he ever said, "Ohio U." I think I might have a heart attack or at least a fainting spell! 
Casper71
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Posted: 7/23/2014 12:46 AM
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CatFan28 makes my point.  If you want to differentiate use the U to an advantage.  We might be the only school in the country doing that.  I don't get that it makes us second rate but it does DIFFERENTIATE.  Isn't that the whole point of branding?   
perimeterpost
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Posted: 7/23/2014 1:33 AM
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The 4 letters -OHIO- represent a strong brand identity. Ohio is a well known state with the 7th largest population and visually the letters create a powerful logo with the symmetry and use of rounded ends and straight lines.

I've watched the shift in the use of "Ohio" over "Ohio U" and "Ohio University" over the last 5 or so years and the progress has been significant. OHIO is more common today not just by the national media but by common sports fans and commenters on blogs, message boards, etc. When people say "Ohio" in a non MAC affiliated conversation the understanding that it is a reference to our school is strong. Reverting back to adding an unnecessary "U" is confusing and weakens the brand.

I agree with those that say the "U" is primarily seen as a means of saying "not state" and because of this should not be used.
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Posted: 7/23/2014 8:55 AM
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Casper71 wrote:expand_more
CatFan28 makes my point.  If you want to differentiate use the U to an advantage.  We might be the only school in the country doing that.  I don't get that it makes us second rate but it does DIFFERENTIATE.  Isn't that the whole point of branding?   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_U_(film)

Miami (FL) is widely known and branded as "The U".  I wouldn't want to pursue an association with them.

 
D.A.
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Posted: 7/23/2014 9:11 AM
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I attended a reception for Vern Alden last month, and at 91, the topic is so visceral for him that he spent most of his address to the audience discussing this very topic, and without being asked about it.  Loosely quoted:

"If someone went to Wisconsin, they don't proclaim they attended WU...
And if someone went to Michigan, they don't proclaim they attended MU...
And if someone went to Princeton, they don't proclaim they attended PU!"

It's only inside the state of Ohio (and very small portions of some surrounding states) that anyone knows what they hell you mean if you say you graduated from OU, otherwise they would automatically assume you graduated from Oklahoma.  If we ever want to be seriously considered a national and global institution of higher learning, we should embrace the name.  Is it really that difficult to add one more syllable?

As for the settlement, on reading it I immediately lost all respect I had for Bob Glidden as an administrator.  To yield nearly all quarter to State, especially considering the emotion around the topic at the time, and doing really no service to protecting our rightful name from use by the junior institution, is unconscionable.
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