3/6/98

ATHENS, Ohio -- The trademark dispute between Ohio University and Ohio State University will draw a television crew from NBC's "The Today Show" next Wednesday and Thursday.

Mike Leonard, a well-known television journalist and independent producer for the show, has already spent several days this week on the Ohio State University campus in Columbus, getting the viewpoint of students, faculty and administrators there.

"Obviously, he'll be looking for Ohio,'" said Adrie Nab, Ohio University vice president for university relations. "It will be hard to miss. Everywhere in Athens you see sweatshirts, caps and paraphernalia with Ohio' on it."

After rejecting a joint-use agreement proposed by Ohio University, Ohio State University on Dec. 16, 1997 filed a complaint with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel Ohio University's federal trademark of its historical shorthand name, "Ohio," which it has used for more than 100 years. That challenge prompted a legal response from Ohio University Feb. 17 stating it will defend its trademark.

A March 2 Sports Illustrated story on the "college name war" noted that Ohio University "has precedent on its side. Ohio U, founded in 1804, has been referred to as Ohio from the beginning. The Columbus school (established in 1870) was first known as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College and recognized as Ohio State only after it was renamed as such in 1878."