N.C State recently sent a legal message to Keuka College, saying that the name 'Wolfpack' only belongs them. The Division I school added that there is only one room for one 'Wolfpack' in college sports.
Backing the Pack reported that the dispute about the name 'Wolfpack' isn't about the similarities between school colors and logos, but the name itself. N.C State accused Keuka of using the same brand, which represents an infringement on NCSU's federal trademark on the name.
An NCAA member, Keuka has about 1,000 students on campus. The students and the college itself use 'Wolfpack', one word and no space, as the moniker for its sports team for the past two years.
However, in 1983, the Raleigh University registered a federal trademark for the specific variation of the Wolfpack, says News Observer. The general counsel of the university, then sent a message last June to Keuka, requesting to stop using the name.
Keuka then dropped the nickname 'Wolfpack' and changed its nickname to 'Wolves' back in October. The President of Keuka College, including national media, criticized the N.C State for picking a smaller school with little financial support. Meanwhile, N.C State's chief communications officer, Brad Bohlander said that it is not the case and that it is not their intention to cause any harm to another institution. "Part of our job is to protect and enforce our trademark," added Bohlander.
Inside Higher Ed reported that a spokesman for North Carolina State said via email that the N.C State is the only university uses the unique brand 'Wolfpack' for its collegiate athletic teams. President of Keuka College, Jorge Díaz-Herrera, said that no person would ever confuse the red-and-white Division I 'Wolfpack' for the green-and-gold Division III 'Wolfpack'.
Jorge Díaz-Herrera then announced to the public and made a letter addressed to Keuka students that after 2015-2016 athletic season is completed the school would now be known as the Wolves. Royalties from licensed sales of trademarked merchandise have earned $800,000 for student scholarships this year, says the N.C State.
