Ohio State College Will get OK To Trademark The Phrase ‘The’

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State College has gained its combat to trademark the phrase “The.”

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Administrative center authorized the college’s request Tuesday. The college says it lets in Ohio State to regulate use of “The” on branded merchandise related to and offered via athletics and collegiate channels, similar to T-shirts, baseball caps and hats.

“THE has been a rallying cry within the Ohio State group for a few years, and Buckeye lovers who acquire authentic Ohio State equipment fortify scholar scholarships, libraries and different college tasks,” stated Ben Johnson, the college’s senior director of media and public family members. He famous the college’s licensing and trademark program generates over $12.5 million a yr in income, which is helping fund scholar scholarships and college techniques.

Ohio State began pursuing an indicator in August 2019 after type store Marc Jacobs had filed an software for the phrase a couple of months previous. The corporate and the college reached a deal in August 2021 that permits each events to make use of the branding.

The patent administrative center rejected Ohio State’s preliminary software, discovering the trademark gave the look to be used for “simply ornamental approach” and as an “decorative characteristic” that did not seem to serve as as an indicator that will differentiate the pieces from others.