[FC-discuss] Free beer -- can colleges trademark colors?

[Gavin Baker]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125081310939148053.html

> Dozens of colleges are up in arms over a new Anheuser-Busch marketing
> campaign that features Bud Light beer cans emblazoned with local
> schools' team colors.

[...]

> Bruce Siegal, general counsel of the Collegiate Licensing Co., which
> represents about 200 colleges, the National Collegiate Athletic
> Association and other school-sports organizations, says his company
> complained to Anheuser-Busch about potential trademark violations
> after being notified about the campaign.
> 
> At least 25 schools have formally asked Anheuser-Busch to drop the
> campaign near their campuses, Mr. Siegal says. In recent letters, the
> University of Michigan's lawyers threatened legal action for alleged
> trademark infringement, demanding that Anheuser-Busch not sell the
> "maize and blue" cans in the "entire state." The University of
> Colorado, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University and Boston
> College have also told the company to stop distribution near their
> campuses, citing trademark issues and concern about student alcohol
> use.

-- 
Gavin Baker
http://www.gavinbaker.com/
gavin at gavinbaker.com

I've never had an idea that couldn't be improved by sharing it with as
many people as possible -- and I don't think anyone else has, either.
    Bill Hooker