KEY TAKEAWAYS: Grambling secures U.S. Trademark Registration No. 8,148,992 for its “G” logo. Logo has represented the university’s athletic and institutional identity since the 1970s. Kean Miller attorneys overcame prior registration denial from 1998. Federal protection strengthens licen sing, merchandising and nationwide brand enforcement.   Grambling State University has secured federal trademark protection for its iconic “G” logo, a move school officials say strengthens the institution’s ability to protect and expand its brand nationwide. The university obtained U.S. Trademark Registration No. 8,148,992 for the stylized mark, according to an announcement from Baton Rouge-based law firm Kean Miller, which represented Grambling in the application process. Kean Miller’s second largest office is in New Orleans. The logo has been associated with Grambling’s athletic programs and institutional identity since the 1970s. A previous attempt to register the mark in 1998 was denied because of potential conflicts with other collegiate and professional logos featuring a “G.” Attorneys at Kean Miller said they worked with the university to address those earlier concerns and respond to questions raised by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during the latest review process. “This registration marks the culmination of years of effort and perseverance,” said Devin Ricci, an intellectual property partner at Kean Miller who led the initiative. Ricci is based in New Orleans. “We appreciate the trust Grambling placed in us to bring this to a successful resolution.” Federal registration gives Grambling broader legal protections, including presumptive nationwide rights to the mark and stronger enforcement tools against unauthorized use. It also positions the university to expand licensing and merchandising opportunities tied to the logo. Trademark protection is increasingly important for universities seeking to monetize athletic branding and protect intellectual property in a competitive collegiate marketplace. Securing federal recognition can reduce the risk of disputes and provide leverage in negotiations with apparel partners and licensees. Kean Miller represented Grambling throughout the process. The firm has more than 240 attorneys across eight offices in Louisiana and Texas and regularly advises clients on intellectual property matters, according to the company. For Grambling State University, the registration formalizes decades of use of one of its most recognizable symbols and strengthens its control over the mark moving forward. ...read more read less