11/21/24
October 18, 2006
Wisconsin Wants District to Ground "W".: The University of Wisconsin is forcing a smaller school district to change its logo because its close to theirs.
posted by commander cody to culture at 12:15 PM - 23 comments
That's easily the worst lede I've read in a story this year. Oh, and if it's that close, it should be removed. A copyright is a copyright.
posted by wfrazerjr at 12:20 PM on October 18, 2006
Obviously, the correct choice for a logo for Waukee would have been some sort of beast ripping apart a badger. (although someone may have copyrighted that too...) I guess they mean these: 
posted by chris2sy at 12:35 PM on October 18, 2006
A high school near where I live is Tulsa Union HS. they were sued by the Universiyt of Miami several years ago because they used the same U on their helmets only different colors. The case was thrown out fairly quickly. I mean come on it's a letter.
posted by scottypup at 12:53 PM on October 18, 2006
I'm sure Wisconsin has other things to do besides worrying about someone elses W.
posted by dbt302 at 12:55 PM on October 18, 2006
Wisconsin also wants to sue the internet for using three of it's copyrighted letters before all those addresses. Seriously, they may have a case, but it's a high school. Are they really making a ton of money off your letter? Better yet, are they stealing money from you because of that letter? I bet a lot of people go out to the local sporting goods store to buy a Wisconsin sweatshirt but then see a Waukee sweatshirt and buy that instead, costing the university a fortune in lost revenue.
posted by SummersEve at 01:08 PM on October 18, 2006
Interesting article, commander, where do you find them? Yes, the W's are similar. I wonder how much alike the diplomas are. Now that would be something to get up in arms about. Sounds like a bully on the playground situation to me. SummersEve, I agree with what you said. Really, where is the harm?
posted by steelergirl at 01:36 PM on October 18, 2006
I agree sg, it's strikes me as a classic case of schoolyard bullying to me. It can't be costing them as much (if anything) to leave it alone as a court fight would cost them, plus they end up looking petty at the same time.
posted by commander cody at 01:54 PM on October 18, 2006
Doesn't Barry Alvarez hold the actual copyright on the "Motion W"?
posted by yerfatma at 02:07 PM on October 18, 2006
No, but I think he holds the patent for how to be a total prick. It's not the UW that's bringing action, it's their "marketing agency". I don't really think it's that big a deal if a high school is using a similar W, but I'm not in charge, deciding who to sue and who not to sue.
posted by rocketman at 02:16 PM on October 18, 2006
Whoops, on a closer read, it sounds like the UW actually is pushing for action. It's not a huge surprise, we all know what big business Division I collegiate athletics can be.
posted by rocketman at 02:22 PM on October 18, 2006
Are they afraid the other schools will be better and thus force them to play at a higher standard?
posted by The Woj at 03:25 PM on October 18, 2006
This reminds of me of my high school's logo (from Richardson [Texas] Berkner High School). 
posted by rcade at 04:05 PM on October 18, 2006
the 2 logos look nothing alike...look at the middle of them...totally different...on a second note...they have now sued the president for having a w in his name
posted by skippy76 at 04:21 PM on October 18, 2006
I agree with skippy, the W's are not the same, in that all W's are basically similar these are not identical. Now if the the high school was using the same color, and calling themselves the badgers, then fine, they'd have a point. I will in protest no longer watch any University of Wisconsin team play on any televised game. This year that might mean I have to skip the Music City Bowl. I'll cope.
posted by dviking at 05:21 PM on October 18, 2006
Absolutely. The middle of the W is shorter and its outlined in gold. Petty bullshit in my opinion. If Wisconsin and its marketing agency are worried about that, they've got some problems. And from what I understand its a high school. Man, they must be hurting monetary wise. Whats the matter,their not selling enough Wisconsin merchandise?
posted by Ghastly1 at 05:27 PM on October 18, 2006
A high school near where I live is Tulsa Union HS. they were sued by the Universiyt of Miami several years ago because they used the same U on their helmets only different colors. The case was thrown out fairly quickly. I mean come on it's a letter. Yeah, and Jenks has the Trojan that's damn near a straight rip-off of USC's. From digging around today, it looks like they don't use it on their helmets anymore.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:46 PM on October 18, 2006
A friend of mine had his high school sued about their logo which was identical to the WV from West Virginia. He said to have the case settled they changed the logo to remove the trailing stripes from the W & V.
posted by Jeffwa at 07:15 PM on October 18, 2006
My high school had an orange and black Seahawk on their football helmets for awhile. Nobody sued them as this was the early eighties and our football team may have been better. But our fight song was the same as Wisconsin's. Spooky. And rcade, I'm afraid my truck is going to have to sue your high school. Sorry.
posted by THX-1138 at 07:18 PM on October 18, 2006
If there's a 'W' that ought to be grounded, it's the one in the White House. Back to this story...maybe UW's lawyer is colorblind! I wouldn't be surprised if these big schools have full-time employees whose job is entirely devoted to scouring the country for logos that might look like theirs.
posted by TerpFan at 08:04 PM on October 18, 2006
There are several schools in our area that use the Michigan design on their helmets. I can think of at least two that use the exact colors, and one of those has the Wolverines moniker too. That's a hell of a lot more unique design than a friggin' "W". I'd be very surprised if the powers that be at U of M see it as anything other than a compliment. Wisconsin should be looking for new marketing representation ASAP (and maybe trying to salvage their image by donating to the Waukee athletic department).
posted by ctal1999 at 12:25 AM on October 19, 2006
What I'm still not sure of is if this makes Wisconsin look like jerks or just proves that they are jerks? I think I'm voting that they are.
posted by commander cody at 01:21 AM on October 19, 2006
Breaking news - I've just had the U of W marketing division on the line. Now I have to change my name to 'outhouse'.
posted by owlhouse at 05:48 PM on October 19, 2006
Petty, petty, petty.