'THE' is registered as a trademark



'THE' used in English is a

definite article that precedes a noun that indicates something that has already been mentioned in a conversation or is known to the reader / listener, and is the most frequently used word in English. The US Patent and Trademark Office approved the trademark registration of 'THE' on June 21, 2022. This trademark applies to T-shirts, baseball caps and other hats.

The Ohio State University Officially Trademarks the Word'THE' --WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-ohio-state-university-officially-trademarks-the-word-the-11655926237

Ohio State secures the trademark for the word 'THE' — Quartz
https://qz.com/2181567/ohio-state-secures-the-trademark-for-the-word-the/

University names generally do not have definite articles unless they are in the form of 'The University of ...', but Ohio State University's official name is 'The Ohio State University,' which includes definite articles. Ohio State University was originally called 'Ohio Agricultural & Mechanical College' when it was founded in 1870, but in 1878 to show that it is Ohio's leading educational institution. Renamed to 'The Ohio State University'.

In the United States, the university name is sometimes abbreviated by initials, but the 'OSU' of Ohio State University has the same abbreviation as Oklahoma State University and Oregon State University. I will. That's why Ohio State University began emphasizing the definite article 'THE' to distinguish it from other universities since the mid-1980s.

In the 1990s, a coach from the American football club ordered Ohio State University players to 'pronounce' THE 'when you say the name of the university and tell reporters that way.' Athletes who play sports at Ohio State University are proud that the university name is displayed including definite articles on TV etc., and 'The' attached to this university name is synonymous with Ohio State University. It seems that it has become.

In fact, the Ohio State University official item shop sells 'THE' T-shirts.



However, in 2019, apparel designer Marc Jacobs applied for the 'THE' trademark, which prevented Ohio State University from selling 'THE' clothing and accessories.

The Ohio State University then challenged Jacobs' application and submitted the same 'THE' trademark to the Patent and Trademark Office. After that, Ohio State University and Jacobs reached an agreement, and it seems that both parties can continue to register and license the 'THE' brand.



Ohio State University spokeswoman Benjamin Johnson said, ''THE' is a word that has been screaming in the Ohio State University community for many years. We use'THE'to protect the university's brand. The Ohio State University trademark and licensing program earns $ 12.5 million annually and is used for student scholarships and lectures. '



'Universities have always been very particular about trademarks and spend a lot of time exercising their trademark rights,' said Josh Garben, a trademark lawyer. 'University brands are of great value.' I did.

Professor Brian Joseph, who teaches linguistics at Ohio State University, said, ''THE' is not an integral part of the university name, and in a sense it does not actually exist at an abstract level. For example, our students It should be called 'Ohio State University students,' and 'The Ohio State University student' is a strange-sounding word, 'he said, arguing that sticking to the definite acronym should not distort English.

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