“O”SPIRG Brands Itself
Apparently OSPIRG has been using the University of Oregon’s “O” symbol to help brand themselves among University of Oregon students.
The use of the symbol is undoubtedly an infringement upon the University of Oregon’s trademark, especially if OSPIRG is using it to solicit donations.
More importantly, the “O” is equated, especially in the malleable minds of young freshmen, with everything that is part of the University of Oregon. An outside group using the symbol for recruitment purposes immediately garners the respect and weight that symbol brings to the table. Since OSPIRG is not part of this university, OSPIRG’s usage of the “O” is incredibly deceptive.
This is just another offense in the long line of morally-vague decisions made by OSPIRG and its constituents. One wonders if the University will step up and stop the group’s marketing plan by mandating a cease-and-desist regarding the “O”.
Anything else should be considered an indirect endorsement of OSPIRG by the University.
