AggieJohn
05-09-2006, 12:57 PM
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FOOTBALL
Updated 6:57 AM on Tuesday, May 9, 2006
By JOSH BAUGH
Eagle Staff Writer
Texas A&M University has settled a trademark-infringement lawsuit against the Seattle Seahawks, agreeing to license the 12th Man slogan to the NFL football team for use in its broadcast area.
The university in January filed a lawsuit against the team just days before it played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2006 Super Bowl.
The agreement, announced by both entities Monday, allows the Seahawks to use the 12th Man slogan within a seven-state area in the Northwest region of the United States. The team must publicly state that A&M owns the phrase each time it is used, according to A&M officials.
The Seahawks also will pay a licensing fee to A&M, though A&M representatives refused to release how much, saying the final documents haven't been filed in court yet.
"From our standpoint, it's never been about money," said Steve Moore, A&M's vice president for communications. "There are some nominal amounts. We've agreed with the Seahawks that we're going to remain quiet right now."
Moore also declined to discuss why the university settled the case, which was scheduled to be heard in June in a Houston-based federal court.
Representatives with the Seahawks could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
Moore announced the settlement to students, faculty and staff Monday afternoon by e-mail.
Shortly after, the memo was posted on texags.com, where dozens of Aggie fans debated whether the settlement was a good move by the university. Some lambasted A&M and Moore, who announced the deal, for being a "sellout," and others suggested that it was the best possible move the university could make.
The Seahawks have used the slogan in various forms on team merchandise. Their 12th Man started in the mid-1980s when capacity crowds made the now-demolished Kingdome one of the NFL's loudest venues. That support was magnified in 67,000-seat Qwest Field, where the Seahawks won 23 of their last 26 games.
A&M has used the 12th Man slogan for decades, but the Aggies made it official in 1990 when they received the licensing trademark, which is a step the Seahawks never took.
Moore said the university will do "some degree of monitoring" to ensure that the Seahawks abide by the terms of the settlement. He said A&M will continue to spread the recognition and connection of the 12th Man trademark to the university.
"We're going to do everything in our attempt to make sure that the 12th Man is front and center," he said. "At the same time, I think our students will have a heightened spirit in putting together the 12th Man spirit."
FOOTBALL
Updated 6:57 AM on Tuesday, May 9, 2006
By JOSH BAUGH
Eagle Staff Writer
Texas A&M University has settled a trademark-infringement lawsuit against the Seattle Seahawks, agreeing to license the 12th Man slogan to the NFL football team for use in its broadcast area.
The university in January filed a lawsuit against the team just days before it played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2006 Super Bowl.
The agreement, announced by both entities Monday, allows the Seahawks to use the 12th Man slogan within a seven-state area in the Northwest region of the United States. The team must publicly state that A&M owns the phrase each time it is used, according to A&M officials.
The Seahawks also will pay a licensing fee to A&M, though A&M representatives refused to release how much, saying the final documents haven't been filed in court yet.
"From our standpoint, it's never been about money," said Steve Moore, A&M's vice president for communications. "There are some nominal amounts. We've agreed with the Seahawks that we're going to remain quiet right now."
Moore also declined to discuss why the university settled the case, which was scheduled to be heard in June in a Houston-based federal court.
Representatives with the Seahawks could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
Moore announced the settlement to students, faculty and staff Monday afternoon by e-mail.
Shortly after, the memo was posted on texags.com, where dozens of Aggie fans debated whether the settlement was a good move by the university. Some lambasted A&M and Moore, who announced the deal, for being a "sellout," and others suggested that it was the best possible move the university could make.
The Seahawks have used the slogan in various forms on team merchandise. Their 12th Man started in the mid-1980s when capacity crowds made the now-demolished Kingdome one of the NFL's loudest venues. That support was magnified in 67,000-seat Qwest Field, where the Seahawks won 23 of their last 26 games.
A&M has used the 12th Man slogan for decades, but the Aggies made it official in 1990 when they received the licensing trademark, which is a step the Seahawks never took.
Moore said the university will do "some degree of monitoring" to ensure that the Seahawks abide by the terms of the settlement. He said A&M will continue to spread the recognition and connection of the 12th Man trademark to the university.
"We're going to do everything in our attempt to make sure that the 12th Man is front and center," he said. "At the same time, I think our students will have a heightened spirit in putting together the 12th Man spirit."