Protecting the brand

UH trademark

Regarding “Branding feud” (Page A14, March 16), to be clear, the University of Houston has no intention of contesting any other university’s or community college’s current use of the word “Houston” in their names or challenging the Houston Astros over their usage, as the editorial wrongly implies.

UH’s trademark application for “Houston” is an effort to prevent another user from making Houston their main name in university education services, which is precisely what happened when South Texas College of Law changed its name to Houston College of Law. Houston College of Law was using Houston as the main part without any distinctive features until we resolved our lawsuit against them and they changed it to South Texas College of Law Houston (STCLH).

Other institutions with “Houston” in their names have distinctive features that distinguish them from UH. We’re fine with that and are reaching out to them.

Our trademark application is limited to university goods and services, narrowly drawn for university education, university sports, and university print materials. Your editorial asks, “Imagine if the University of Texas had been granted such broad ownership rights to the word ‘Texas’ for educational purposes.” We don’t have to imagine. UT has at least 10 such registrations.

UH is doing what needs to be done to protect our brand and only our brand.