Sometimes it seems as though Harvard owns the world--or at least a good chunk of it.

Think about it--Harvard's name is known around the globe. It is splashed across sweatshirts in Rome and scrawled on baseball caps in Mexico. It graces stockholder lists in almost every market, from petroleum to french bread. Harvard is the cradle of presidents, the cocktail club of intellectuals, the haven of Nobel laureates.

But for evidence of Harvard's dominance, you don't have to look to the international scene, or even as far as the Wall Street Journal.

All you need to do is walk outside the Harvard gets and toward the many stores, restaurants and businesses that feature the word "Harvard" in their names. From auto glass to real estate, the name of John Harvard is spread far and wide, in the Boston area and beyond.

Once upon a time "Harvard" was merely a last name. If generous John had had a different surname, we might all root for "Mother Taylor" in The Game, or wear sweatshirts reading "FRANKLIN" or "MILES STANDISH U."

However, now Harvard is a presence. It has moved from the realm of private appellation to the world of public consumption.

In fact, the University has had to establish a department just to monitor the use of the Harvard name and seal, which are copyrighted.

According to Joyce Brinton, director of the Office of Technology and Trademark Licensing, the university must approve any use of the Harvard insignia. "If companies want to use the insignia mark on trademarked goods...we have licensing control," she says.

The job can have its interesting moments. In one instance last spring, the Office denied a request to market "Harvard condoms" bearing the university name and seal.

But usually requests for the Harvard insignia aren't so exotic, says Brinton. Often stores wish to sell clothing, school products or household items with the official Harvard stamp on them. These types of requests are generally approved, she says.

The situation becomes less clear when a business with no connection to the University chooses to use the Harvard name sans official trademark.

"We look on a case-by-case basis to see if there's a problem," says Brinton. "We haven't tried to define a definite policy."

Sometimes the department must judge whether it wants the name of Harvard associated with a place or a product.

"We look at situations where confusion or misperception of endorsement may be seen," says Brinton.

"We indicate we're not going to license things where the potential liability of licensing...would be crazy for the University to [take on]," she explains.