COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio State University is attempting to stop a Michigan company from trademarking the term “Buckeye Tears.”
The Brown Jug, an Ann Arbor bar and restaurant just steps from the heart of the University of Michigan, offers “Buckeye Tears” on draft for $7. On Aug. 19, 2024, The Brown Jug applied to trademark the term for beer and liquor. Although the U.S. allowed The Brown Jug to proceed, Ohio State filed a formal opposition on Wednesday to stop the use.
Ohio University plans to end 11 of its degree programs
Josh Gerben, founder and managing attorney of trademark law firm Gerben IP, said Ohio State will need to prove customers would assume OSU is directly associated with the name.
“Normally, you know, somebody that’s referencing a university in a, in a trademark filing has the uphill battle themselves to really get around it,” Gerben said. “This is actually a unique case where I think the restaurant would probably have some pretty good defenses available.”…