When Syracuse University quietly filed for a federal trademark on the word “orange" for use on apparel in 2006, nothing seemed to stand in the way. After all, a similar but broader filing it had made two years earlier was being considered, and Syracuse hadn’t heard a whisper of protest. Orange is the university's sports nickname and team color.
Late last year, though, several colleges that use orange as one of their main colors for sports, marketing, and the like caught wind of the trademark filing. Feeling threatened -- and in many cases believing that Syracuse's assertion of trademark applied to the color, as well as the word -- they moved to protect their own. Since February, seven colleges have filed varying forms of opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. At least two more have communicated directly with Syracuse about the trademark application, but did not file formal opposition.
To read the full, original article click on this link: News: Can You Own a Color? - Inside Higher Ed
