Ohio State University has won its legal battle to trademark the word ‘THE.’
The university’s request was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, establishing OSU’s claim to the definite article—one of the most frequently used phrases in the English language.
The institution claims that it permits Ohio State to manage the use of “THE” on branded apparel for the school and its teams, including hats, baseball caps, and T-shirts.
“The Ohio State University” was the name established by a legislation passed in 1878, and as a sign of their allegiance, fans of the school usually insist on using the entire formal name.
For instance, former Buckeyes football players frequently emphasize “THE” when announcing themselves as Ohio State alumnus at the start of NFL games.
‘THE has been a rallying cry in the Ohio State community for many years, and Buckeye fans who purchase official Ohio State gear support student scholarships, libraries and other university initiatives,’ said Ben Johnson, the university’s senior director of media and public relations.
He mentioned that the university’s licensing and trademark program brings in more than $12.5 million annually, which goes toward student scholarships and educational initiatives.
After luxury retailer Marc Jacobs submitted an application for the term a few months prior, Ohio State began its trademark search in August 2019.
In August 2021, the business and the university came to an agreement allowing both sides to utilize the branding.
The brand looked to be used in a “merely decorative manner” and as a “ornamental feature,” not as a trademark that would distinguish the products from those of others, according to the patent office, which initially rejected Ohio State’s initial application.
Ohio State has never hesitated to register names, words, and phrases connected to its football team as trademarks.The university first trademarked “Urban Meyer” in 2015, then “Woody Hayes” in 2016 in recognition of the most well-known member of the football program.
The university did make an attempt to trademark OSU in 2017, but Oklahoma State predictably protested.
Since then, a deal between the two institutions permits both to employ the abbreviation.
Without counting outstanding applications, Ohio State reportedly holds 150 trademarks in 17 different nations.