Texas A&M targets Washington brewer over '12th Man' trademark infringement

[TexasTowelie]

Plans for a Seattle Seahawks Superbowl celebration with 12th Man beer fell flat after Texas A&M lawyers intervened to protect their trademark.

A family-owned brewery in Bothell, Wash. planned to sell "12th Man Skittles IPA" on Superbowl weekend but canceled the plans after receiving a cease-and-desist notice from A&M, which has trademarked the phrase. A&M lawyers actively police unlicensed uses of the trademark, which have increased with the Seahawks' run to the Super Bowl.

Bothell is a town of about 34,000 located about 20 miles northeast of Seattle. The brewery is operated by Jim Jamison and his family, who have full-time jobs but run the business on the side from property in a residential area. It's only open on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.

The 12th Man Skittles IPA was thought up somewhat last minute by Jamison as a way to celebrate the Seahawks' 12th man tradition and star running back Marshawn Lynch's affinity for the candy. He brewed 5.6 gallons of the beer, which isn't even a full batch, with home brew equipment.

More at http://www.theeagle.com/news/a_m/article_562541d6-be7b-5d23-affc-40dc41015040.html .

Cross-posted in the Washington Group.

[Ilsa]

1. The Seahawks don't have a "12th Man tradition".

They illegally used the icon until they finally settled with TAMU. They haven't had it ling enough to be called a tradition.