In a significant legal victory, Penn State University won its lawsuit against Vintage Brand, an online retailer selling retro sports products. A federal jury in Pennsylvania ruled that Vintage had infringed upon Penn State’s trademarks by selling unlicensed items bearing the university’s logos and imagery. The jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages. More importantly, the verdict reaffirmed the university’s rights over its branding. This exemplifies maintaining integrity of trademark law in the college sports merchandise market.
Trademark Infringement Allegations and Jury Decision
Penn State’s case stemmed from Vintage’s use of the university’s logos and imagery on various products. Popular products include T-shirts, hats, and mugs. The university argued that the retailer’s products misled consumers into thinking they were purchasing licensed merchandise. The jury found that Vintage’s actions qualified as trademark infringement. The decision reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between college sports trademarks and their control over branded merchandise. This outcome is particularly important as it upholds schools’ ability to protect their logos, which have significant market value.
Vintage’s Public Domain Defense
Vintage Brand attempted to argue that the historical images it used were in the public domain, claiming these images were part of documented history and not subject to trademark protections. The company also emphasized that it used a disclaimer on its website, stating that the products were not officially licensed by Penn State. Vintage argued that trademarks should identify a product’s source, not merely serve as decorative features. However, the jury rejected this argument, siding with Penn State’s claim of infringement.
Photo: Vintage Brand
The Broader Implications for College Sports Merchandise
The ruling extends beyond Penn State’s case. It has wider implications for other schools and their ability to protect their intellectual property rights. In fact, multiple universities—including Purdue, Arizona, UCLA, and others—have filed similar lawsuits against Vintage. These schools argue that unauthorized sales of their logos devalue official licensing deals with apparel manufacturers. As such, the case represents a major win for universities in their ongoing efforts to maintain control over their trademarks and their revenues from merchandise sales.
What Comes Next for Vintage Brand?
While Vintage has the option to appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, this ruling sets an important precedent for the protection of college sports trademarks. If the decision stands, it could further solidify the ability of universities to control how their historical imagery is used in the retail market. For now, the case serves as a critical reminder of the value of trademarks in the world of college athletics and sports merchandising.
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