You know, I grew up in Athens during the reign of Vince Dooley (and Herschel Walker), and I realize that he is God to many Georgians (they're wrong, of course -- that distinction goes to Bear Bryant! ). However, just because they don't renew him as athletic director (heck, I'm surprised he's still alive!), the uni breaks it off with the foundation??? How thick can you get? It's things like this that give my husband more reason to think I'm nuts when I get the occasional chance to watch my team on TV (and revert back into rabid fan mode).
It's am amusing story. But the University of Georgia is in no danger of losing its name. The Foundation's trademark application (if approved) will specifically cover the use of the mark for certain types of products -- e.g. mugs, T-shirts. The University of Georgia will be able to continue to use the name as a provider of academic services -- its rights have been established in common law through its history of actual use of the name. Moreover, the Foundation's registration of the mark (assuming it's successful) only provides a legal presumption of ownership -- the University will be able to sue to have the registration cancelled based on the University's history of actual use of the name. Of course, the lawyers get a little richer in the process.
