Greek Organizations File Joint Litigation To Protect Trademark Rights

[AGDee]

Originally posted by 33girl
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.

There are some errors with the search function for your group. A few of the categories bring up one link but then say there is a runtime error in the search script. UBGreek is listed under Gifts and Burr, Patt is listed under jewelry. There may be more vendors that aren't showing. And, as you said, since you're a new client, more will probably show up soon.

[mu_agd]

Originally posted by 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

I noticed the other day that the website was updated with informationn on the contract with Affinity as well as a list of all the licensed vendors.

[AlphaSigOU]

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?

Basically, anything that distinctly identifies a fraternity or sorority is considered a trademark of the organization. These may include:

• Greek letters
• Coat-of-arms/crest
• Distinctive mottos, slogans, 'tag lines'
• Distinctive mascot illustrations or logotypes
• Badges and pins

The Greek organization has the right to control the marketing of its distinctive trademarks by issuing licenses to reproduce them to selected businesses.

For example, I've seen an unlicensed representation of the Alpha Sigma Phi coat-of arms reproduced with the wrong colors (the silver quadrants on the shield are reproduced in a burgundy color).

Chapters, colonies and alum groups, being subdivisions of the national fraternity are authorized the use of the trademarked insignia for promotional use as long as they meet guidelines established by the national organization. This may be in the form of a 'style manual' that shows the correct (and incorrect) use of the trademarks.

Another example: Phi Gamma Delta prohibits the reproduction of its Greek letters on any article of clothing or item that may be discarded; for these items the nickname "FIJI" is used instead.

In older times, the reproduction of a fraternity or sorority trademark wasn't strictly policed, unless it was egregiously misused. Today, many GLOs will have a licensing company manage the trademarks of the organization; in return for the payment of a license fee, the merchandiser receives the privilege of marketing various items with the official symbols and other trademarks of the organization.

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
Basically, anything that distinctly identifies a fraternity or sorority is considered a trademark of the organization. These may include:

• Greek letters
• Coat-of-arms/crest
• Distinctive mottos, slogans, 'tag lines'
• Distinctive mascot illustrations or logotypes
• Badges and pins

The Greek organization has the right to control the marketing of its distinctive trademarks by issuing licenses to reproduce them to selected businesses.

This is correct, with one addition: generally for GLOs and similar groups, the trademark will be "registered" with the federal government. It is easier to take action for unauthorized use of registered trademarks.

[emb021]

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?

I think for most GLOs, they have trademarked their crest and insignia (pin/badge). I know mine also registered our name and letters with the patent office. Mascots may be too generic.

I think most of the issue is with greek manufactors who produce items with the organization's letters &/or insignia without permission (glassware, ceramics, etc).

Making stuff like letter shirts or the like may be viewed a little differently (ie, I doubt every greek store out there has gotten permission from each org, but I think most would try to verify in some way that who they are selling these clothing items to are members).

[SAEalumnus]

With as sensitive as most GLOs tend to be regarding their respective trademarks and logos, the outcome of this proceeding should be interesting to watch.