‘THE’ application denied: Ohio State’s trademark request rejected
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Ohio State’s widely ridiculed attempt to trademark “THE” is a no-go for now. Sports business reporter Darren Rovell reports that the US Patent & Trademark Office has refused the application.
OSU players, coaches, administrators, fans and alumni frequently make it to refer to the school as “The Ohio State University” with emphasis on “the.” It is a source of constant mockery from many college sports fans, including those in the SEC. On Wednesday, however, some on Twitter were using the news to poke fun at Michigan as well.
The Patent & Trademark Office has more wins against Ohio State than Jim Harbaugh https://t.co/XgF3ZneT0P
— UConn is home (@NoEscalators) September 11, 2019
Current wins against Ohio State:
The US Patent & Trademark Office – 1
Jim Harbaugh – 0 https://t.co/HRayiOy5d1— Jeremy (@jsab4807) September 11, 2019
The USPTO has more wins against Ohio State than Jim Harbaugh. https://t.co/dFe0pl4YO5
— Brandon Large (@largebrandon) September 11, 2019
In four seasons as Michigan head coach, Jim Harbaugh has yet to beat Ohio State, the Wolverines’ biggest college football rival.
All jokes and trolling aside, attorney Josh Gerben has offered a series legal breakdown of the matter for those interested as to why the application was refused:
Ohio State University’s trademark application for the word “THE” has been refused by the USPTO.
The USPTO found that:
1. @OhioState is not using the word “THE” as a trademark.
2. Marc Jacobs filed an application for “THE” before Ohio State made its filing. #The analysis 👇 pic.twitter.com/KfQmlVtvQA
— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) September 11, 2019
JUST IN: The US Patent & Trademark Office has issued an initial decision on Ohio State’s attempt to trademark the word “THE.” They have refused the application.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 11, 2019
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
