In a clash of status-symbol titans, Harvard's Office of Patents and Trademarks recently took on fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
Three weeks ago, legal counsel to the clothing empire received a cease-and-desist letter from the University after Harvard's trademark office discovered a line of Ralph Lauren ties bearing the Harvard Law School (HLS) crest.
The fashion designer ended up paying Harvard nearly $1,000 in back royalties on the 400 HLS ties already sold by the time of the University's complaint.
Ralph Lauren also agreed to take the remaining HLS ties off the rack.
According to Rick Calixto, Harvard's trademark program administrator, lawyers for the retailer admitted that Ralph Lauren had not sought permission to use the HLS crest.
"I basically told Ralph Lauren that if the situation were reversed, if it were Harvard who had infringed on their trademark, they'd be on our backs pretty quickly," Calixto said.
"They promised they won't do anything else with the Harvard name on it," he said.
Independent tie designer Michael LaHart alerted Harvard officials to the unauthorized usage of the HLS crest.
LaHart, who owns the sole license to reproduce Harvard logos on neckwear, saw the HLS ties on sale in Ralph Lauren's New York City flagship store.
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