The Brief
- Saint John’s University in Collegeville sued St. John’s University in New York in federal court in Minnesota on Wednesday over the use of “JOHNNIES” and similar names.
- The Minnesota school says it has used “JOHNNIES” since at least Sept. 1, 1900 and has held a federal registration for the mark since Oct. 12, 2004, according to the filing.
- The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, damages and an order blocking the New York school from using the disputed names for education, athletics and merchandise, according to the complaint.
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (FOX 9) – A trademark fight between two St. John’s universities is now in federal court in Minnesota.
Trademark dispute centers on recruiting and athletics
The Collegeville, Minnesota, school filed its complaint Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Minnesota against the New York school. The lawsuit says recent national use of JOHNNIES, Johnnie and Johnny is creating confusion in recruiting, athletics and merchandise.
Local perspective:
The complaint says the Minnesota school has continuously used JOHNNIES for its students and athletic teams since at least Sept. 1, 1900. It says the mark appears on its website, printed materials, athletic uniforms, branded merchandise and recruitment materials that are distributed nationally.…