CSNbbs

I actually looked up the Big XIV and XVI registrations on the US trademark website one time. The rumors that the Big XII registered those names are true, but their trademarks expired two or three years ago due to some rules that unused trademarks expire after 25 years. The Big 12 would have to re-register those names in order to rename themselves.


https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2...ge-report/

So they registered for them in late 90s? That seems odd.

add smu & rice*...rebrand to the nSWC...sit back and watch the fireworks...
*i read somewhere that rice owns the rights to the swc name...

(05-07-2023 08:26 PM)Scoochpooch1 Wrote: [ -> ]So they registered for them in late 90s? That seems odd.

Registered them when they became the Big 12

(05-08-2023 12:00 AM)TeamRamRod1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-07-2023 08:26 PM)Scoochpooch1 Wrote: [ -> ]So they registered for them in late 90s? That seems odd.

Registered them when they became the Big 12

Yeah, there was a lot of uncertainty back then, it's not surprising that they would have registered multiple names.

(05-06-2023 03:39 PM)Poster Wrote: [ -> ]I actually looked up the Big XIV and XVI registrations on the US trademark website one time. The rumors that the Big XII registered those names are true, but their trademarks expired two or three years ago due to some rules that unused trademarks expire after 25 years. The Big 12 would have to re-register those names in order to rename themselves.


https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2...ge-report/

Brett Yormark did say a few months ago that the league plans to rebrand itself in a year or so. The remark went mostly unnoticed here.

It's definitely time.

I hope every league has got better sense going forward than to put numbers in the league name again. I'd say we're ready for a 100-year moratorium on the word 'big' as well. Maybe university employees in libraries can lend university employees in athletic departments a thesaurus.

I think rebranding the name from Big 12 to something else is a terrible idea.

Funny that they didn't think about rebranding themselves from the Big 12 all those years they only had 10 members but now they want too.

Also, if they go with Big 14 or Big 16, it would be foolish because their membership will probably be in flux the next 20 years.

(05-08-2023 06:47 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote: [ -> ]I think rebranding the name from Big 12 to something else is a terrible idea.

I think it could be a good idea. IMO the "Big 12" term is closely associated with Texas and OU, and well they are leaving.

Of course, they have to come up with a good name.

I would definitely go with SWC, southwest conference, but not sure who owns the rights

(05-06-2023 03:39 PM)Poster Wrote: [ -> ]I actually looked up the Big XIV and XVI registrations on the US trademark website one time. The rumors that the Big XII registered those names are true, but their trademarks expired two or three years ago due to some rules that unused trademarks expire after 25 years. The Big 12 would have to re-register those names in order to rename themselves.


https://www.heartlandcollegesports.com/2...ge-report/

You're on the right track, but here's what really happened. Searchable at USPTO.gov.

The Big Twelve Conference, Inc. first applied to register the "Big 14" mark based on "intent to use" in 1997. You cannot register a trademark unless and until you actually use it. The application was abandoned in 1999.

In 2004, the Conference again applied to register the Big 14 mark based on "intent to use." The Conference extended the application five times and then abandoned the application in 2009.

In 2009, the Conference submitted another "intent to use" application for Big 14, followed a similar course as the earlier applications with five extensions, and abandoned the application in 2012.

There are currently no pending applications from the Big Twelve Conference, Inc. related to Big 14 or Big 16.

Technically, the Conference does not have to register anything. In the U.S., trademark rights are first created through usage, not through registration; though, an "intent to use" application can help the trademark owner use the date of application as the date of first use *but only after the trademark is actually in use*.

The USPTO registration can help prove priority and deems the usage to be nationwide, even if it isn't, and gives the trademark owner access to federal courts and stronger rights and damages against potential infringers.

Big12+

Problem solved, new brand that honors the traditional name

(05-07-2023 08:26 PM)Scoochpooch1 Wrote: [ -> ]So they registered for them in late 90s? That seems odd.

Well. They just went from Big 8 to Big 12 and they used to be the Big 6. There was already a Big Ten, so they were being forward thinking.

How about just keep it the Big 12?

I would be in support of a Big 12 rebrand. The Big 12 only has five original members (Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Baylor and Texas Tech), with a majority of the conference arriving within the past 11 years. The Big 12 will no longer have twelve members, and it is also no longer strictly focused in Texas or the Central United States. The dangers of rebranding as more of a national conference, however, leads you down the path of Conference USA and the American. If the Big 12 truly seeks to be the last survivor between the PAC and ACC, having any number associated with itself is foolish, as it could have anywhere from 14 to 24 teams in the next decade.

Will be interesting to see nevertheless.

(05-08-2023 10:16 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote: [ -> ]I would be in support of a Big 12 rebrand. The Big 12 only has five original members (Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Baylor and Texas Tech), with a majority of the conference arriving within the past 11 years. The Big 12 will no longer have twelve members, and it is also no longer strictly focused in Texas or the Central United States. The dangers of rebranding as more of a national conference, however, leads you down the path of Conference USA and the American. If the Big 12 truly seeks to be the last survivor between the PAC and ACC, having any number associated with itself is foolish, as it could have anywhere from 14 to 24 teams in the next decade.

Will be interesting to see nevertheless.

Oklahoma State is still there as well. At the end of the next contract WVU will have been in the Big 12 longer than Texas A&M was.

(05-07-2023 11:45 PM)joeben69 Wrote: [ -> ]add smu & rice*...rebrand to the nSWC...sit back and watch the fireworks...
*i read somewhere that rice owns the rights to the swc name...

I don't believe Rice does. I looked into it years ago. For a while Southwest Texas State had it. But I believe it reverted to the SWC archive at Texas Tech.

(05-08-2023 10:22 AM)Sicembear11 Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-08-2023 10:16 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote: [ -> ]I would be in support of a Big 12 rebrand. The Big 12 only has five original members (Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Baylor and Texas Tech), with a majority of the conference arriving within the past 11 years. The Big 12 will no longer have twelve members, and it is also no longer strictly focused in Texas or the Central United States. The dangers of rebranding as more of a national conference, however, leads you down the path of Conference USA and the American. If the Big 12 truly seeks to be the last survivor between the PAC and ACC, having any number associated with itself is foolish, as it could have anywhere from 14 to 24 teams in the next decade.

Will be interesting to see nevertheless.

Oklahoma State is still there as well. At the end of the next contract WVU will have been in the Big 12 longer than Texas A&M was.

My mistake. Thanks for catching. Excellent point on WVU over A&M too (and WVU will have been in the Big 12 longer than it ever was in the Big East).

I suspect they will keep the Big 12 name and update the logo to show BIG1X similar to what the Big 10 did with their new logo the B1G.

(05-08-2023 09:58 AM)otown Wrote: [ -> ]How about just keep it the Big 12?

Everything we know about Yormark suggests he's going to rebrand.

When he rebranded the Nets, the name didn't change but the logo and colors changed.

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