More and more companies and institutions have been trying to trademark seemingly generic phrases in recent years, but nothing tops what we are seeing from Ohio State. The Buckeyes are trying to copyright the word ‘The’ and sell apparel with just that word on hats, shirts, and more.
JUST IN: The Ohio State University has filed for a trademark application to the word “THE” with an intent to use on shirts and hats. First discovered by @JoshGerben. pic.twitter.com/hdN4AIdvOt
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 13, 2019
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben Law Firm was the first to report the news. He searched the United States Patent and Trademark Office website yesterday and discovered that Ohio State had filed paperwork to trademark ‘The’. Apparel with only ‘The’ is already being sold on the school’s athletics website, but Gerben highlights that the USPTO is likely to reject the patent because the school is not using the word in a unique way or in conjunction with something else.
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 👇:#BuckeyeNation #MiamiHurricanes pic.twitter.com/1UvLOAOnIc
— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) August 13, 2019
This has led to the college football community as a whole taking some shots at Ohio State. ‘The’ is the most common word in the English language, and most consider the school’s attempts to trademark the word preposterous.
The best thing about OSU trying to trademark “The” is that The Ohio University was founded 66 years before Ohio A&M, and 74 years before Ohio A&M petitioned the state to change its name to “The Ohio State University” in order to mirror its older brother
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) August 14, 2019
Ohio State had this to say on the matter when asked by the Columbus Dispatch:
“Like other institutions, Ohio State works to vigorously protect the university’s brand and trademarks,” Chris Davey, a spokesman for the university, said in a statement after confirming the trademark submission.
“These assets hold significant value, which benefits our students and faculty and the broader community by supporting our core academic mission of teaching and research.”
The Buckeyes’ biggest rivals have already decided to needle them about the trademark application with Michigan’s main Twitter account posting this earlier today:
— University of Michigan (@UMich) August 14, 2019
Buckeyes fans have been quick to counter The School Up North by pointing out that Michigan has only defeated Ohio State once in the last 15 years. That should lead to some great banter ahead of their game on November 30 in Ann Arbor.
