The University of Georgia Athletic Association (UGAA) Brought Suit Against

Essay

The University of Georgia Athletic Association (UGAA) brought suit against beer wholesaler Bill Laite for marketing Battlin' Bulldog Beer. The UGAA claimed that the cans infringed its symbol for its athletic teams. The symbol, which depicted an English Bulldog wearing a sweater with a G and the word BULLDOGS on it, had been registered as a service mark. Soon after the beer appeared on the market, the university received telephone calls from friends of the university who were concerned that Battlin' Bulldog Beer was not the sort of product that should in any way be related to the University of Georgia. The beer cans bore the disclaimer "Not associated with the University of Georgia," although it was relatively inconspicuous on an individual can and was not visible on a six-pack. Was there an infringement? University of Georgia Athletic Association v. Laite, 756 F. 2d 1535 (11th Cir. 1984).​