Are college name abbreviations copyrighted?

[gloriathomas57]

My jurisdiction is: Virginia/USA

I make yard stakes to sell and just discovered that hokies ( as in Va Tech Hokies) is copyrighted and cannot use that name. However, can VT be used or UVA or JMU be used?

 

[Michael Wechsler]

You can use the terms "UVA" for whatever you want - however, that doesn't mean you won't get sued if you try to pass them off as being associated with someone else's product. You can sell shirts with the letters "UVA" but if you're using the styling and logo of the school, then you have a trademark issue that is rather obvious. The general standard for trademark infringement and other intellectual property rights and protections circulations around whether you are likely to cause confusion in the mind of the average consumer, might be tarnishing a valid trademark and riding off the goodwill generated through the hard work, effort and financial investment of another.

 

[gloriathomas57]

Thank-you very much!