-----Original Message-----
From: XXXXXXX XXXXXX c/o 2008 [mailto:XXXXXX@neo.tamu.edu]
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 9:21 PM
To: Mike McKenzie
Subject: [AggiesAsk Web Script] 12th Man


Question by me:

NAME: XXXXXXX XXXXXX c/o 2008
LOCATION: Aggieland
PHONE:
MESSAGE:
What is A&M's official stance with the Seattle Seahawks using the "12th
Man" so extensively? I know we have copyrights and trademarks and stuff
over the "12th Man," so why are they allowed to market it like this?

Remote IP Address:128.***.**.***

Answer:

They aren't. We have sent them cease-and-desist papers repeatedly over
the last two years. They'll be forced to shut it down if they do not
comply.

-Mike McKenzie

Sweet!

Good to hear, I hope they take the Seahawks down.

are you guys serious on this?

...and we care because??? Seriously, I have no idea why we're getting all worked up about this. None.

I hope you aren't kidding.

I care because the 12th Man tradition should be the property of the students of Texas A&M. It was the student body's idea, and there is value in that.

[This message has been edited by aggiealphamale (edited 1/23/2006 9:35p).]

The sky is falling!

quote:

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are you guys serious on this?

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Yes we are. You can't tell me that you're not a little bit peeved that Ozzie Osborne and Satanists everywhere are using the tu symbol.

Ha ha!

Sip ownage!

If we do not defend our trademarks against unauthorized use then we lose them. Because this is a highly public use of our trademark it stands a chance, if not contested, to lead to other schools or professional teams adopting the "12th Man" title.

It is our tradition and it would be a shame to lose one of the things that makes us special.

[This message has been edited by spherical (edited 1/23/2006 9:36p).]

"IF" this is real it is flippin sweet!!!!!!

Are we serious? Heck yes we are serious. If somebody was flauting around the "hook em horns" phrase or "welcome to the swamp", or "wreck em tech" etc etc etc those schools would be upset as well.

The 12th man spirit, phrase and tradition has been a unique part of Texas A&M since what the 1930's? Your dam right we are upset if some clowns from the NFL and seattle of all places is throwing around the phrase and "raising the 12th flag" like they created it. The 12th man, what the symbol the 12th man means to A&M fans, and the actual player who puts on that 12th man jersey is a part of every aggie.

While no it might not seem like a big deal to you, its a big deal to most A&M fans.

[This message has been edited by bullard21k (edited 1/23/2006 9:50p).]

I will forward the email to anyone who requests it if you feel it's necessary.

I just wanted to know straight from the horses mouth what the situation REALLY is.

Gig Em Bullard...I totally agree with you. And, I like your passion about it. We need more of that.

quote:

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Answer:

They aren't. We have sent them cease-and-desist papers repeatedly over
the last two years. They'll be forced to shut it down if they do not
comply.

-Mike McKenzie

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Notice the first two words of that reply: "THEY AREN'T". The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ORGANIZATION is not using the phrase "the 12th Man". They are not "stealing our tradition". They have a flag with the number 12 on it- BIG DEAL. On SUnday I only heard one guy use that phrase: Joe Buck. He works for FOX, not the Seahawks.

[This message has been edited by meantime (edited 1/23/2006 9:50p).]

quote:

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...so why are they allowed to market it like this?

Remote IP Address:128.***.**.***

Answer:

They aren't. We have...

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The "they aren't" was a direct answer to the initial email, smart guy

Is there an email where we can all contact the seacawcks so we can all give them a piece of our minds?

quote:

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Texas A&M does have a Federal Registration for the word mark "12th Man". We are working with our licensing partner and General Counsel in a cease and desist action.

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Shortened version of the reply I received a few days ago from the A&M Collegiate Licensing Office on possible infringement of the trademark.

And for those of you who don't think it's that important (other than for personal reasons), why do you think it was important for A&M to file the registration if it wasn't?

So we've sent them cease & desist orders before, and they still haven't backed down ...

seems that a portion of money made from "12th Man" apparel in the past is due to Texas A&M. Does anyone have any insight as to what this might mean?

DEY TUK ARRR JABS !!!

good one sand whorn

TTUClint= THE VOICE OF REASON!

When will this madness end???

I sent an email to the Seattle paper giving them info about the 12th man and our long, storied history behind it. Since Rocky Benard is an Aggie, maybe it will stir up a story.

I'm sure the Seahawks are worried after 22+ years of using it without going to court.

Man, this is so frigging ghey... If "Aggie outrage" over this s*** makes national headlines everyone will think we're an even dumber bunch of hicks than they already do. God help us if this isn't all a joke.

[This message has been edited by meantime (edited 1/23/2006 10:09p).]

It isn't "ghey". Calling something "ghey" is.

Protecting our trade marks is necessary. I don't know why some people can't understand that.

If trademarks aren't protected, they're lost. One is obligated to prosecute violations.

Hey, I use "ghey" because I don't want to offend anyone.

quote:

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The "they aren't" was a direct answer to the initial email, smart guy

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Maybe I worded my post a little poorly for what I meant to say: THE SEAHAWKS know damn well they can't use the phrase. Obviously they know A&M has the phrase copyrighted. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE NOT DOING IT!!!



[This message has been edited by meantime (edited 1/23/2006 10:21p).]

As an example of what can happen, when Lou Holtz was at South Carolina he tried to steal the 12th man concept for the SC fans. We challenged them for the same reasons as above, and they backed down.

Unless you protect it, then every swingin' **** in football will be calling themselves "The 12th Man".

Do you want to see that happen?