Student Newspaper Publishes Editorial Over Enforcing University Trademarks equally

Editorials: Trademarks: Enforce equally

If Ohio State is going to apply trademark infringement penalties, it should do so in a consistent manner.

Removing the calender "Images: Men of the Scarlet and Gray" from the OSU bookstore at Derby Hall (for unlawful use of the OSU logo) was hypocritical. This is because in September 1984, Playboy magazine was not removed from the shelves even though its "Girls of the Big 10" issue also contained blatant examples of OSU trademark infringement.

The calender, which was removed Sept. 27 after only five days of sales, is a relatively tame publication. It shows bare-chested, male OSU students posing for each month.

The logo infringement question arose from photographs containing a scarlet and gray "Ohio State" towel, and another including an aerial view of Ohio Stadium.

The racy Playboy photographs, on the other hand, show nude and partially clothed OSU women in various poses wearing OSU T-shirts, carrying an OSU trash can and other logo-marked paraphernalia.

The university originally threatened to sue the calender for the use of the OSU logo. The lawsuit has been shelved, but discrepancies between the two publications treatment remain. Either Playboy should have also been sued (or threatened with action) or the "Men of OSU" should have been left alone.

In the future, Ohio State should adopt a trademark policy and follow it.