Greek Organizations File Joint Litigation To Protect Trademark Rights

[TSteven]

Greek Organizations File Joint Litigation To Protect Trademark Rights

INDIANAPOLIS – April 7, 2005 – 26 national and international Greek organizations today filed a joint lawsuit in Indiana Federal Court against Greek product manufacturers and marketers Greek 101, Alexandra & Company and CDI Corporation, on charges of trademark infringement, unfair competition and trademark dilution. The lawsuit was filed as a result of the three defendants’ continued, unauthorized use of the Greek organizations’ protected trademarks. Stites & Harbison’s intellectual property group in Louisville, Kentucky has been retained as legal counsel by the Greek organizations.

“The defendants haven’t just violated the rights of Greek organizations in this case, but they have, in essence stolen business from hundreds of legally licensed vendors who are the only ones authorized to manufacture and market products using these protected trademarks,” said Mark Anderson, executive secretary for Sigma Chi. “This lawsuit is as much about standing by those vendors who faithfully abide by our quality control standards as it is about trademark protection.”

“The size and breadth of this joint litigation irrefutably shows that Greek organizations are aligned and focused on protecting the individual and collective use of our marks. I am disappointed that there are companies whose refusal to abide by our very reasonable licensing requirements have placed them in such a difficult and unfortunate legal predicament,” said Cari Cook, executive director for Delta Delta Delta.

The lawsuit was filed in the same court that recently ruled in favor of Greek trademark rights when it decided afghan manufacturer, Pure Country, violated state and federal trademark laws when it continued to sell branded products outside of a license agreement with various Greek organizations. Pure Country agreed to pay the Greek organizations in excess of $200,000 to settle the dispute over damages.

Recent law clearly establishes Greek organizations’ rights to protect their marks and ensure that products and services that contain their insignia meet fundamental quality standards,” said Dan Shaver, president of Affinity Marketing Consultants, Inc. “We are hopeful that other unlicensed manufacturers and screen printers will seize the opportunity to become licensed instead of waiting until legal action becomes necessary.

The 26 plaintiffs are:

Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Xi Delta
Beta Theta Pi
Chi Omega
Delta Chi
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Tau Delta
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Delta
Lambda Chi Alpha
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Theta
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Chi
Sigma Kappa
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Zeta Beta Tau

To date, over 46 national and international Greek-letter organizations, representing over five million households, proactively manage comprehensive licensing programs that grant companies approval to use their trademarks on high-quality and appropriate products and services. To learn more about the licensing efforts of these Greek organizations, visit www.GreekLicensing.com.

© 2005, Sigma Chi International Headquarters

Edited to correct link.

[roqueemae]

Alexandra and Company is my favorite company for Phi Mu stuff. I wonder if they are a licensed vendor for Phi Mu since Phi Mu is not listed as a plantiff

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by ariesrising
I am not well versed in trademarks and the like....what constitutes a trademark for a Greek organization?

Does it mean that the letters can't be used on merchandise? The name? The crest? Mascots? Or all of the above? What constitutes "insignia"?

Because essentially, anyone who's ever made anything for someone with any of the insignia in question would then be infringing on the trademark, wouldn't they?

Since many GLOs share mascots, selling items with lions, squirrels, angels, etc on them isn't a violation (unless the mascot has a very specific look). Putting them along with letters and selling them would be.

[kddani]

all three of those companies had been licensed at some point in time, fairly recently, if I recall correctly. I recall seeing them listed on the site that lists the companies licensed. My guess is that they got sick of dealing with the fairly nasty people at the greek licensing company that deals with this stuff. I've spoken about it in the past on here that they harassed me through ebay.

In a way I can understand wanting to protect trademarks, but in another way, it is just making the prices of greek merchandise go higher and higher. Go to any greek store around your campus and the prices are ridiculous for anything.

[AGDee]

We were told at our Leadership Conference this winter that Alpha Gamma Delta is signing on with Affinity as well. Which of your marks are trademarked is up to your organization, so it will vary. For us, it's Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Gam, the greek letters of Alpha Gamma Delta, our badge, and our coat of arms. We were told that if we didn't start trying to protect our marks, we would lose them. They recommended using the greeklicensing web site to get quotes. For example, you put in what you're looking for and you'll get back 3 quotes for the item and then you can choose which one you want and order it online. I believe this was primarily for garments. They told us that the GLOs that had already done this had a lot more variety of merchandise available (which seemed to be true after doing some searches). They also said they'd work with local vendors that are commonly used to help get them licensed.

I inquired about when we make our own things and they said that members can use the marks as long as they don't make money off of them. They can be made as gifts for other sisters with no problem.

They also then have control over things like thongs with letters on them and the shorts with letters on the butt.

We haven't gotten any more information about it since then, so I'm not sure if our contract with Affinity is a done deal yet or not.

Dee

[PM_Mama00]

I'm wondering if Greek 101 is licensed with Phi Mu. I always thought they were licensed anyways. They do GREAT work but suck for prices.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by AGDee
We haven't gotten any more information about it since then, so I'm not sure if our contract with Affinity is a done deal yet or not.

From the GreekLicensing.com site.

AMC [Affinity Marketing Consultants, Inc.] adds more Greek clients – list grows to 46!

AMC would like to welcome Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Pi to the growing list of AMC clients. We're excited to have you aboard and look forward to helping you protect your trademarks through licensing. All current vendors will be invited to apply for a license with these new AMC clients.

AMC's 46 clients

Sororities
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Xi Delta
Chi Omega
Delta Delta Delta
Delta Gamma
Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Zeta
Gamma Phi Beta
Kappa Delta
Phi Mu
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Kappa
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Theta Phi Alpha

Fraternities
Alpha Epsilon Pi
Alpha Sigma Phi
Alpha Tau Omega
Beta Theta Pi
Chi Psi
Delta Chi
Delta Sigma Phi
Delta Tau Delta
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Sigma
Lambda Chi Alpha
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Theta
Pi Kappa Alpha
Psi Upsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Mu
Sigma Chi
Sigma Nu
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sigma Pi
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Theta Chi
Triangle
Zeta Beta Tau

[TSteven]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
I'm wondering if Greek 101 is licensed with Phi Mu. I always thought they were licensed anyways. They do GREAT work but suck for prices.

Phi Mu Licensed Vendors:

[honeychile]

I think we had a somewhat limited number of licensed vendors for a long time now, so this doesn't really surprise me. For the most part, if I'm buying something ADPi, I go through our Gift Mart. It may be a dollar more at times, but at least I know where the profits go.

The Pitt people will know what I mean when I say that hell will freeze over before I use a certain street vendor - for ANYTHING!!

[roqueemae]

Originally posted by TSteven
Phi Mu Licensed Vendors:

I was looking on the Phi Mu site and couldn't find it. I did find that
FM
Phi Mu
Badge
Crest
are copyrighted.

[TSteven]

Defending OUR Name!

When you see the Norman Shield, what do you think of?

Sigma Chi
Friendship, Justice and Learning
Your fellow brothers
All of the above?

Now, if you saw the Norman Shield on a pizza box would you still think of your beloved Fraternity? Probably not! You may even think, why would someone disgrace the Shield by using it in such an inappropriate way.

This is why Sigma Chi has registered and trademarked all of our marks, including all insignia, the name Sigma Chi and the greek letters [SC]. By having all of our marks registered and trademarked, WE have a say in what OUR marks appear on, ensuring the protection of you and the rest of the Order.

So now I ask you ... How important is it to you that Sigma Chi be represented with the respect and honor that you, your chapter and your fellow brothers deserve?

[Tom Earp]

It is not only giviing Certain Merchandisers Rights, it is the right of GLOS to make a Profit fom this, it is to protect the quality of said Products.

Yes, I did get an okay to do My Thing for LXA to get products and resale them with certain rules, Nohing with that is there?

The Qualiefed Merchandisers pay a Stipend to GLOs. But the Rub is when some put Crap on GLOs Sites.

It is becoming a very big deal, Letters or circumspect, but Coat of Arms, Badges, Associate Pins, ar a different problem.

We voted on this at OurLast GA to really try to controll shoddy workemenship.

There are certain things that need to be covered, Guess what they are? Try to buy anything from ebay?

[33girl]

Originally posted by kddani
all three of those companies had been licensed at some point in time, fairly recently, if I recall correctly. I recall seeing them listed on the site that lists the companies licensed. My guess is that they got sick of dealing with the fairly nasty people at the greek licensing company that deals with this stuff. I've spoken about it in the past on here that they harassed me through ebay.

Do you mean they = Affinity/greeklicensing.com?

Well, maybe we are a new client, but according to the website our only licensed vendor is Barnes & Noble (which actually isn't a vendor of course, it's a partner of some sort). No links for glassware, apparel or anything.

I agree with Danielle - it does no good to have licensed vendors if the prices are too high for anyone to afford. Then they won't buy items which leads to less PR for the org. I mean, I don't think it's like people are trying to be outlaws or something, but when it's $50 for the "licensed" sweatshirt vs. $17 for a homemade one ($15 for a plain sweatshirt plus $2 for the fabric for letters) it's a no brainer.

[Taualumna]

I don't know about other GLOs, but as AGDee said, AGDs can make their own stuff provided that they don't make money off of them. Maybe the licenced places should sell iron ons for us to put on our own shirts, etc. It'll save money that way.

Another question: What happens to Greek Week or recruitment items when apparel includes several GLOs' letters?

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by 33girl
Well, maybe we are a new client, but according to the website our only licensed vendor is Barnes & Noble (which actually isn't a vendor of course, it's a partner of some sort).

Barnes & Noble is one of the larger operators of university bookstores in the nation - specifically those in student unions/student centers....which is EXACTLY WHY I will not shop at their branded stores. Because their univeristy bookstores are a ripoff.

From barnesandnoble.com:
"Mr. Riggio’s commitment to students continues today through Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, a privately held company that operates more than 500 stores on college and university campuses across the United States and in Canada."

More here at : http://www.bkstore.com - wher eyou can see if they are the crooks running YOUR university bookstore.