Aggie Hoopsfan
05-08-2006, 06:07 PM
8 May 2006
MEMORANDUM
To: Texas A&M Students, Faculty and Staff
Subject: 12th Man Trademark Settlement
I’m pleased to inform you that, after months of negotiations, the
university has reached an amicable agreement with the Seattle Seahawks
resolving the controversy regarding the use of Texas A&M’s 12th Man
trademark. Under the agreement, the university has granted the NFL team
a license to use the 12th Man trademark in a seven-state area in the
northwest that encompasses the current primary broadcast area of the
Seahawks. As is the case of all licensees, the Seattle Seahawks will
pay the university a licensing fee and will state publicly that Texas
A&M owns the 12th Man trademark each time it is used.
It is hard for non-Aggies—and the media—to understand the depth of what
the 12th Man reference and depiction—and the underlying tradition –
means to Texas A&M and as a result, the university was criticized for
vigorously opposing use of the trademark by the Seahawks. As you know,
the 12th Man is more than a trademark, greater than football and
certainly more than changing the course of a football game. The 12th
Man is a call to action for Aggies. It symbolizes loyalty and our
unique Aggie Spirit. It creates friendships where none existed before,
heals wounds that seemed to be beyond repair and creates a common
language that Aggies speak all over the world.
We had no choice but to challenge the Seattle Seahawks, just as we must
protect and defend in every way possible all of our trademarks – and
none is more crucial than that of the 12th Man because of all it means
to Aggies. We have not only protected the 12 Man trademark, but have
strengthened it for the future to ensure that others cannot
successfully challenge us.
Now, we are in a position to license our trademark as a means of
broadening our coverage and unquestioned ownership of the mark in both
professional and collegiate sports.
In the fall, you will see an unprecedented focus on our 12th Man
trademark here at Texas A&M. Our goal is to maximize the recognition
and connection to our school.
Gig Em’
Steven B. Moore
Chief Marketing Officer & Vice President for Communications
Free money, sweet! :bling
MEMORANDUM
To: Texas A&M Students, Faculty and Staff
Subject: 12th Man Trademark Settlement
I’m pleased to inform you that, after months of negotiations, the
university has reached an amicable agreement with the Seattle Seahawks
resolving the controversy regarding the use of Texas A&M’s 12th Man
trademark. Under the agreement, the university has granted the NFL team
a license to use the 12th Man trademark in a seven-state area in the
northwest that encompasses the current primary broadcast area of the
Seahawks. As is the case of all licensees, the Seattle Seahawks will
pay the university a licensing fee and will state publicly that Texas
A&M owns the 12th Man trademark each time it is used.
It is hard for non-Aggies—and the media—to understand the depth of what
the 12th Man reference and depiction—and the underlying tradition –
means to Texas A&M and as a result, the university was criticized for
vigorously opposing use of the trademark by the Seahawks. As you know,
the 12th Man is more than a trademark, greater than football and
certainly more than changing the course of a football game. The 12th
Man is a call to action for Aggies. It symbolizes loyalty and our
unique Aggie Spirit. It creates friendships where none existed before,
heals wounds that seemed to be beyond repair and creates a common
language that Aggies speak all over the world.
We had no choice but to challenge the Seattle Seahawks, just as we must
protect and defend in every way possible all of our trademarks – and
none is more crucial than that of the 12th Man because of all it means
to Aggies. We have not only protected the 12 Man trademark, but have
strengthened it for the future to ensure that others cannot
successfully challenge us.
Now, we are in a position to license our trademark as a means of
broadening our coverage and unquestioned ownership of the mark in both
professional and collegiate sports.
In the fall, you will see an unprecedented focus on our 12th Man
trademark here at Texas A&M. Our goal is to maximize the recognition
and connection to our school.
Gig Em’
Steven B. Moore
Chief Marketing Officer & Vice President for Communications
Free money, sweet! :bling