According to the LAT, Southern Cal's branding police won a victory over USC (University of South Carolina), convincing the U.S. Trademark Office that Southern Cal owns the rights to the "SC" logo.
The University of Southern California and the University of South Carolina share the same initials. But they won't be sharing a trademark logo.
Not now that the administrative tribunal of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has ruled that the local USC has priority of use when it comes to the "SC" logo, including the interlocking version.
Good for Southern Cal. And I mean that with utmost respect, as our friends from across town call themselves "Southern Cal," and have several trademarks for that phrase to prove it. Of course, they don't want you to call them "Southern Cal," but according to Adam Rose, they don't want anyone else called Southern Cal either.
The University of Southern California loathes the moniker "Southern Cal," even though they make a limited run of "Southern Cal" branded apparel every year. The production is necessary for the school to retain its trademark and prevent anybody else from using it.
Interestingly, Klein and Rose ignore some of Southern Cal's more recent trademark efforts.
According to the Trademark Office, Southern Cal is also seeking exclusive possession of the following terms:
CHEATIE PETEE™
THE HUMANITARIAN™
DAMN SPORTS AGENTS!™
CHEAT ON™
WE OWN THE POLICE™
'LIL ROMEO'S TEEN FANCLUB™
NEITHER OJ DID IT™
WHITE NATION™
GAP CLOSERS™
Please keep this in mind. As we know, Southern Cal can be aggressive with their trademark enforcement practices.
Happy Friday all (and let me know which ones I missed!).
GO BRUINS.