RMU and RMC settle naming battle
Kevin Williams
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: News
Robert Morris College in Chicago, Ill. is about to become known as Robert Morris University Illinois, after a near court battle with Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh was settled.
The complaint and pending lawsuit originally filed by Robert Morris College in Chicago, Ill. last summer against Robert Morris University has been dismissed without any major litigation or trial.
According to Vice President and General Counsel Sidney Zonn, the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice on Nov. 25. RMC originally filed the lawsuit on July 24, claiming that it can use the name Robert Morris University as well, although Pittsburgh's RMU holds a trademark on the name.
"We agreed that specific information about the settlement would have to come from the home institution," said Robert Morris College Provost Mablene Kreuger. "In general, both institutions were in agreement. Collegial and cordial discussions were held. Therefore, we saw no need for further action."
In the end, an agreement was reached between RMC and RMU that allowed for RMC to alter its name to recognize its new university status without infringing on RMU's trademark.
Both RMC and RMU have several stipulations as part of the agreement. First, RMC will use Robert Morris University Illinois, or the acronym RMUI, as its legal name and for all official purposes. It may use the shortened name Robert Morris, Robert Morris Illinois or Robert Morris Springfield as long as its official, legal name is used first.
The new RMUI may use the phrase Robert Morris University, or the acronym RMU, on campus signage, banners, athletic team uniforms and logo merchandise sold in the school's bookstore.
Second, both schools must follow certain athletic and spirit guidelines. RMC may not join the NCAA for five years, while RMU may not join the NAIA during this five year period.
Also, the schools may not use each other's school colors or logos. Therefore, RMC will remain the Robert Morris Eagles and retain their school colors of maroon, white, gold and black, while RMU will continue to be the Robert Morris Colonials and retain the school colors of red, white and blue.
The complaint and pending lawsuit originally filed by Robert Morris College in Chicago, Ill. last summer against Robert Morris University has been dismissed without any major litigation or trial.
According to Vice President and General Counsel Sidney Zonn, the lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice on Nov. 25. RMC originally filed the lawsuit on July 24, claiming that it can use the name Robert Morris University as well, although Pittsburgh's RMU holds a trademark on the name.
"We agreed that specific information about the settlement would have to come from the home institution," said Robert Morris College Provost Mablene Kreuger. "In general, both institutions were in agreement. Collegial and cordial discussions were held. Therefore, we saw no need for further action."
In the end, an agreement was reached between RMC and RMU that allowed for RMC to alter its name to recognize its new university status without infringing on RMU's trademark.
Both RMC and RMU have several stipulations as part of the agreement. First, RMC will use Robert Morris University Illinois, or the acronym RMUI, as its legal name and for all official purposes. It may use the shortened name Robert Morris, Robert Morris Illinois or Robert Morris Springfield as long as its official, legal name is used first.
The new RMUI may use the phrase Robert Morris University, or the acronym RMU, on campus signage, banners, athletic team uniforms and logo merchandise sold in the school's bookstore.
Second, both schools must follow certain athletic and spirit guidelines. RMC may not join the NCAA for five years, while RMU may not join the NAIA during this five year period.
Also, the schools may not use each other's school colors or logos. Therefore, RMC will remain the Robert Morris Eagles and retain their school colors of maroon, white, gold and black, while RMU will continue to be the Robert Morris Colonials and retain the school colors of red, white and blue.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Dave Toole
posted 3/05/09 @ 11:57 AM EST
I work in admissions at RMU and I can say that this year alone I've had about 7 or 8 applications from students who meant to apply to Robert Morris in Illinois. (Continued…)
Zak Morgan
posted 3/19/09 @ 8:48 PM EST
I am a student at the Robert Morris campus in Chicago, Illinois. When people ask me where I go to school I say "Robert Morris." They reply, "Oh, in Pennsylvania?" "No," I reply. (Continued…)
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posted 12/03/09 @ 4:02 AM EST
I agree that the replacement of college with university is inconsequential.
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