You may have heard about THE Ohio State University making a request to trademark the word "THE" (stylized in all-caps like that) for use on merchandise.
Welp, according to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, that's not happening:
The word “the” doesn’t belong to Ohio State University, and it’s sort of Marc Jacobs’ fault, according to a letter a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sent Wednesday to a university attorney.
The office rejected an attempt by Ohio’s flagship university to trademark the word, stylized as “THE” in all caps, in ways that signify its association with the school on T-shirts and hats.
The letter cites two reasons. One is that the Marc Jacobs fashion line beat the university to the punch, seeking to trademark “the” on May 6 for its use on handbags, knapsacks and other items. Ohio State didn’t file its application until Aug. 8.
The other reason is that Ohio State’s proposed use of it on clothing “is merely a decorative or ornamental feature of applicant’s clothing.” In other words, the word, as presented, is an add-on and not something that would help people associate it with the university.
The Patent and Trademark Office denied Marc Jacobs’ request to trademark “the” on Aug. 28.
The letter does not constitute the office’s final decision, and Ohio State has six months to respond.
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