University of Tennessee Trademarks

[SpookyAction]

Does anyone else think it is incredibly stupid that the University of Tennessee has a trademark on the word "Tennessee".
That is a bit broad, I think.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

I could be wrong and I probably am but I think it's just the "font" Tennessee is written in.....I'm sure someone else will post the answer.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

I stand corrected


Logos and Graphics
Power T logo
Lady Vols logo
Smokey mascot
Orange and white checkerboard
University seal
Winged UT system logo
Institutional wordmarks


Verbiage
University of Tennessee
Tennessee
Volunteers
Lady Volunteers
Vols
Lady Vols
Go Vols
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
UT
Big Orange
Big Orange Country
Go Big Orange
Big Orange. Big Ideas.
Vol for Life
VFL
Rocky Top (requires special license)

 

[SpookyAction]

I stand corrected


Logos and Graphics
Power T logo
Lady Vols logo
Smokey mascot
Orange and white checkerboard
University seal
Winged UT system logo
Institutional wordmarks


Verbiage
University of Tennessee
Tennessee
Volunteers
Lady Volunteers
Vols
Lady Vols
Go Vols
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
UT
Big Orange
Big Orange Country
Go Big Orange
Big Orange. Big Ideas.
Vol for Life
VFL
Rocky Top (requires special license)

yep
I tried to have some pink wine cups made for Christmas presents for out of state relatives, and "No Way!"
Nothing to do with the Vols.
I have no right to the name of my own state.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

Pretty sure you could get away with it just fine

 

[golfballs]

How’s that possible?

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

Just did a quick search and used Texas as an example. Looks UT#2 has TEXAS trademarked too

https://trademarks.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Protected Marks.pdf

 

[FïreBall]

yep
I tried to have some pink wine cups made for Christmas presents for out of state relatives, and "No Way!"
Nothing to do with the Vols.
I have no right to the name of my own state.

When my daughter graduated from UT this year.. I designed her a graduation card.. One place wouldn't print it because of the card having University of Tennessee and Tau Beta Pi. Needless to say.. More than one way to skin a cat. Crazy it was over a $5 card that could not be resold.

 

[MillerTime80]

yep
I tried to have some pink wine cups made for Christmas presents for out of state relatives, and "No Way!"
Nothing to do with the Vols.
I have no right to the name of my own state.

A few years back I worked with a VT fan that hated it when analysts said va tech instead of VT or Virginia Tech, sooooooo I made/ordered him a maroon shirt with orange font that said Vah Teck on it. First time, they said they couldn’t make it. Infringement…. I resubmitted the exact same request again, and then, they made it. Not saying that approach will definitely work for you but it might…. Also, at this point, if you can get custom glasses made before Christmas, dang! Good luck getting your glasses. Lastly, if the current folks won’t make what you want, I would bet another company would.

 

[SpookyAction]

I ordered the glasses in September and the phone call refusing to make them was received this morning. I was angry enough to find this overbroad TM of the name of my home state. But to have a gift ordered for over 90 days before it was canceled a week before the holiday was unacceptable. I don't really do social media, but I have lit them up on Facebook for the delinquent timing and p!$& poor customer service. Too bad. I have used this business several times over the years, but they screwed me over and said I won't get the credit on my debit card for at least two weeks. If they weren't going to do it, I should have know a month ago. That would be a reasonable amount of time to make an alternate plan.

 

[SpookyAction]

Pretty sure you could get away with it just fine

You would think.
I respect a small business owner playing by the rules, so I didn't push.
I love UT, but this deserves a challenge and should be overturned, IMO.

 

[SpookyAction]

Just did a quick search and used Texas as an example. Looks UT#2 has TEXAS trademarked too

https://trademarks.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/Protected Marks.pdf

I understand these TMs if they pertain to college sports or college education, but just owning the rights to the name of the state is ludicrous.

 

[SpookyAction]

How’s that possible?

 

[sona]

Their trademark applies in certain fields, namely education and athletics. They don't own the damn word.

Read it here if you like: Tennessee Trademark

 

[SpookyAction]

Their trademark applies in certain fields, namely education and athletics. They don't own the damn word.

Read it here if you like: Tennessee Trademark

Thanks

 

[sona]

Kind of funny, Brick by Brick is still trademarked by UT. You can see pretty much everything they have trademarked by putting "Andy Holt Tower" in the search field for address.

University of TN trademarks

Rocky Top is trademarked in a ton of different fields but I didn't see a claim by UT. I probably overlooked it, got tired of clicking.

 

[SpookyAction]

https://c.tenor.com/a7FEdCDGOgIAAAAd/nobody-knows-this-no-one-knows.gifP

Kind of funny, Brick by Brick is still trademarked by UT. You can see pretty much everything they have trademarked by putting "Andy Holt Tower" in the search field for address.

University of TN trademarks

Rocky Top is trademarked in a ton of different fields but I didn't see a claim by UT. I probably overlooked it, got tired of clicking.

The first page said Rock Top is a special license, probably because the music publishing rights get first cut of the money.

 

[tnutater]

Does anyone else think it is incredibly stupid that the University of Tennessee has a trademark on the word "Tennessee".
That is a bit broad, I think.

I wonder how JD, Geo D and other distillers get by with "Tennessee" whiskey"??
They pay royalties by the barrel or gallon??

 

[sona]

I wonder how JD, Geo D and other distillers get by with "Tennessee" whiskey"??
They pay royalties by the barrel or gallon??

They don't pay UT anything. Trademarks apply in certain fields only. You can't produce a video of backyard football and market it as Tennessee Football without hearing from UT lawyers, but their rights are only applicable to specific named usages.

 

[tnutater]

They don't pay UT anything. Trademarks apply in certain fields only. You can't produce a video of backyard football and market it as Tennessee Football without hearing from UT lawyers, but their rights are only applicable to specific named usages.

Having been on the receiving end of 3 cease and desist letters in my life, (not UT related) I am
fully aware of trademark application. I was just replying to those that think UT has total rights to the name Tennessee.

 

[sona]

Having been on the receiving end of 3 cease and desist letters in my life, (not UT related) I am
fully aware of trademark application. I was just replying to those that think UT has total rights to the name Tennessee.

Gotcha. Hope you won