TAMU Takes on Tebow's Team Over "12th Man" Trademark
The Denver Broncos may have defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in their wild-card playoff game, but are they prepared for the Texas A&M University legal department?
During Sunday night's broadcast, a man parachuted into the stadium trailing a "12th Man" flag behind him, which later flew throughout the game. In football, a maximum of 11 players at a time are allowed on the field, and so the phrase "12th man" is sometimes used to refer to the important role played by the fans.
There's just one hitch with the Broncos using it during a broadcast, as A&M ...
Comments (19)
Michael Alvard via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Aggies think that God is on their side too...
Jen James via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We just beat down the Seahawks for doing pretty much the same thing a few years back - obviously the Broncos nation didn't research - nothing to do with God but a whole lot to do with trademark infringement!
Jordan Stewart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Same people who thought the "Saw Em Off" thing was okay are freaking out about something far more vague. It's another planet out there in Aggieland.
Susan Syler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The Aggies should be flattered a team that WON a game used the expression.
Kirk Holden
The dude has been praying to Zeus for the whole season that he could get away with infringement of intellectual property. Apparently the god's rejected his appeal.
Nathan Krueger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Boy, yea, trademark law is awfully "vague"...
Charles Chuck D Daniel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Uh, wow... Something to really be proud of there.
Jen James via Texas Tribune on Facebook
precedent has already been set - "12th man" is trademarked already by A&M - read the article already - and the "Saw Em Off" thing totally ok lol I proudly sport it on my vehicle - forever...
Richard Chatham via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Aggies r about to be getting their ass beat in the sec and they r worried about the 12th man? com'on man
Clint Pohler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well since they are worried about protecting things synonymous with A&M, they might as well trademark "Mediocrity" too.
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am sure an aggie joke is in there somewhere. However, they should protect their trademark; since they don't have a Cable Network.
It IS always--all about the money--isn't it
train
Guess A&M will be suing my old high school for giving out a "12th Man" award every year. Way to go Aggies. Make Texas proud of being petty.
Bologna Vest
12th man has predated Texas A&M's use of it. The fact that they got a trademark on it is a sad commentary on the state of IP laws in the US.
T D
Bologna Vest has it right. A five second search on Google Books turned up, as the second hit, a 1912 use from the State University of Iowa's magazine, which I'll post here (you can do the search yourself):
The Iowa alumnus: Volume 10 - Page 30
books.google.com
State University of Iowa - 1912 - Free Google eBook - Read
When the 1903 football season rolled around, Iowa was confronted with anything but brilliant prospects; ... The eleven men had done their best ; but the twelfth man on the team (the loyal spirited Iowa rooter) had won the game for old ...
Looks like it won't be so hard to overturn any A&M claim that this is theirs . . .
Garvin
Aggies like to think the 12th man idea is their own....my grandfather played in high school before King Gill and the phrase 12th man was all the rage all over. Just like A&M to make soemthing common their own. Big deal about nothing.
George Schwarz
A&M has intellectual property? Really? Really? LOL
John Byers
The twelve man doesn't belong to TAMU, its been used way before any Aggie could spell football. GUNSUP
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A&M should also trade mark "steer of the year" - after Governor Perry...
living txlife
Who are the idiots who allowed A&M to trademark the term? I don't care if they coined the term. It should be considered common use and should be a way for all football teams to honor their fans.