texas

Texas Withdraws ‘Havoc' Basketball Trademark Applications

The University of Texas has abandoned plans to trademark "HORNS HAVOC" and "HOUSE OF HAVOC."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Texas withdrew its applications to federally register the phrases after being met with backlash from Virginia Commonwealth University.

The men's basketball team at Virginia Commonwealth University had been synonymous with the word "Havoc."

Pamela D. Lepley, VCU's vice president of university relations, says VCU's legal counsel confronted Texas about the applications and convinced Texas to withdraw them.

"Havoc" became a national brand for the VCU team's relentless defense under then-VCU basketball coach Shaka Smart. When Smart left to become the coach at Texas last month, Smart's new employers had hoped to use the nickname as well.

VCU had registered "Havoc" as a trademark with the State Corporation Commission, but it was not registered federally.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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