Who owns the word “Kentucky,” the Commonwealth of Kentucky or the University of Kentucky? That’s the subject of a new case in front of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Appeal Board, according to documents shared by trademark lawyer Josh Gerben.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky filed a trademark application for the phrase “Team Kentucky,” which Governor Andy Beshear’s office uses as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. If you live in the state, you’ve heard the phrase thousands of times over the past year. The University of Kentucky is opposing that application, arguing that when consumers see clothing with “Team Kentucky” on it, they’ll think it refers to the school, not the state.