Ohio State successfully registers trademark for 'THE'

Ohio State is commonly referred to by alumni and athletes as “The Ohio State University,” with a heavy emphasis on the word “THE.”

Back in 2019, the school tried to file a trademark for the word “THE,” but was rejected. (And, it should be noted, was widely mocked by college sports fans everywhere.)

But, the Buckeyes’ persistence has apparently paid off. On Wednesday, it was reported that the school had indeed received a trademark for the word “THE”:

The Ohio State University has successfully registered a trademark for "THE."

The registration was just issued on June 21st by the USPTO.

The application was filed back in August 2019. So why did it take 3 years to get approved?

A thread? pic.twitter.com/Wfa5EFp4DS

— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) June 22, 2022

How did this happen? What changed between 2019 and now? Reporter Josh Gerben explains:

Ohio State responded by:

1. Showing the USPTO that it was not using the trademark in a mearly ornamental manner, and

2. Opposing Marc Jacobs' trademark application for the word "THE."https://t.co/2EDVEbIkhK

[3/5]— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) June 22, 2022

After the settlement agreement was reached with Marc Jacobs in August 2021, it took until yesterday (June 21, 2022) for Ohio State to continue to clean up the "merely ornamental" issue with the USPTO and go through the rest of the application process.

[5/5]— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) June 22, 2022

So, there you have it. Marc Jacobs and THE Ohio State University have apparently set aside their differences and now both own a trademark on a key article in the English language.

We’ll see if THE Ohio State University can win THE national championship this year or if THE Buckeyes become THE latest would-be power to fall victim to THE SEC’s dominance.