"There is no mention of a patent in that article......."
No patent, just a straight up trademark infringement. Here is part of the e-mail I got yesterday.
To Faculty, Students and Staff:
As a member of the Aggie family, we want you to be as fully informed as possible of the university’s position—and motivation—in taking legal action against the Seattle Seahawks’ infringement upon the University’s 12th Man trademark. Simply put, we believe we have no choice but to protect and defend in every way possible, including legal action, all of our trademarks—and none is more crucial than that of the 12th Man because of all it means to Aggies, those currently enrolled and to more than 275,000 former students. We are not driven in this matter by concerns about any lost revenue in the licensing process; it is simply a matter of principle—ensuring that nothing infringes on the 12th Man concept and its Texas A&M uniqueness.
It is hard for non-Aggies—and the media—to understand the depth of what the 12th Man means to Texas A&M, and, as a result, the institution is receiving some less-than-desirable attention in some quarters—certainly including the Seattle area. We certainly regret that this matter could take away from some of Seattle fans’ focus at this particular time but, and especially considering Sunday’s Super Bowl game and all the surrounding media attention, we must take definitive action at this time to protect our trademark. The timing could have been avoided if the Seattle Seahawks management had responded to our original requests—as did the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills and other teams in earlier such situations.
What's next? A mascot named Reveille? A band dressed in uniforms and jackboots who mount charges on the opposing teams band with swords drawn? Is nothing sacred these days? |
