In reaction to the uproar caused by the OSJA, USMA sending threatening letters to West Point Parents Clubs, the Superintendent of West Point today had the email below forwarded to West Point Society, Class, and Parents Club Presidents for whom the AOG, USMA has an email address (I know, it’s signed by the President of the AOG but the original was sent by the Superintendent):
***This message is being sent to Society Presidents.***
Dear Society Leaders:
The Superintendent and Chairman have asked that I share with you a message sent by LTG Hagenbeck to Parents Club Presidents today. Thank you again for all you do for West Point and its graduates.
Bob
West Point Society Leaders (West Point Class Leaders),
I know there has been discussion about our recent trademarking efforts so I wanted you to see this email I just sent to our Parents Club Presidents. Hope to see you here for the AOG Leaders Conference in August.
LTG Hagenbeck
Superintendent
Parents Club Presidents,
As many of you know, West Point has begun the necessary task of more stringently enforcing our trademarks, and we have sent letters explaining this to our Parents Clubs. I understand that these letters worried and even offended some of you, our most ardent supporters. For that I apologize. Let me assure you of my continued appreciation and respect for you and your organizations.
However, for the good of the Academy we must continue to ensure all uses of our trademarks are approved and appropriate. This spring, at the Parents Clubs conference, we gave a presentation on the trademark program, and later sent out information letters to the approximately 100 parents clubs. Of those 100 clubs, only nine remained out of compliance and received a second notification.
Trademarks are a type of intellectual property. They are the words, phrases, and symbols that represent West Point. We began registering our marks in the mid-1970s and the program has grown, particularly as the market for sports related goods has exploded. Information on our trademarks has been on our website for several years at <http://www.westpoint.edu/trademark.asp>http://www.westpoint.edu/trademark.asp
Under US law we must protect these trademarks or we will lose our right to the exclusive use of our own marks. Truly, the potential exists that, without the proper enforcement our marks could be used without permission. If that happens, not only could anyone anywhere sell merchandise with our name and logos, costing cadet activities and athletics approximately $400,000 a year, but our marks could be modified and even used in profane or political ways.
The enforcement process is not directed specifically at you, our Parents Clubs, or at our Societies, Class Organizations or the Association of Graduates. We have not, and will not, ask for those who support us to pay for the use of the West Point name or logos. But, to ensure we meet our legal obligations as trademark owners, we do limit the use of our logos and we will work with you to ensure that all items have been licensed with our agent, the Collegiate Licensing Corporation, and any products sold pay the licensing fee.
Thanks for trusting us with your most precious possession, your children, and thanks your continued support of West Point.
Beat Navy!
Buster Hagenbeck
Superintendent
Robert L. McClure ‘76
COL (USA, RET)
President & CEO
West Point Association of Graduates
698 Mills Road
West Point, NY 10996
Phone: 845-446-1600
FAX: 845-446-1696
robert.mcclure@wpaog.org
www.westpointaog.org
Serving West Point and the Long Gray Line
*****
For history regarding the above and other issues, see Behind the Scenes, Behind the Scenes Part II, and Behind the Scenes – Reactions.
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