NoiseInsideMyHead

I hope UND's law school re-opens soon. A lot of the armchair lawyers in this thread need a refresher course. Public domain is a copyright concept that has little to nothing to do with trademarks in this context. The copyrighted Sioux logo isn't going to enter the public domain for a long time. Static displays at the Ralph do not constitute a use in commerce that would preserve trademark rights. The use in commerce threshold is quite low, and limited editions certainly do qualify. See, for example, registered trademarks for Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren.

Please don't let the tinfoil hat crowd sway you...the NCAA is a lot of things but they are powerless on this. Even if the agreement is interpreted in the manner least favorable to UND (which is doubtful), a breach of contract without demonstrable harm is hardly worth fretting over. There is no naughty list, and there are no sanctions for not having a nickname. Carry on.

I think you're confused. You admit to knowing nothing about marketing yet criticized a poster for suggesting that there was a correlation between 'multiple marketing options' and increased merchandise sales. You suggested that the reason why nobody was buying was that nobody wanted to buy something that was going to change again. I simply pointed out there was another hypothesis for low sales of generic merchandise -- lack of quality options. And nothing is going to 'change'…except the availability of newly branded goods.

Note the "Spirit Shop." Hence, yet another reason why "Spirit" simply won't work as the new nickname.

Maybe, just maybe, the generic merchandise is bland, uninspired shite. And perhaps that is why nobody is buying it? As others have pointed out, the interlocking ND and "North Dakota" aren't exactly going away, so there's no reason not to buy merchandise now, IF there was something worth buying.

And coeds.

Wait a second. Baxter sells Jeeps. Jeep makes Cherokees. Where the heck is the NCAA on this?

Can we now refer to UNO as the Baxterds?

Sssshhhh!

Hmm, making light of a bad situation…what a fascinating concept. I could swear I've seen such witchcraft and wizardry before somewhere. Where could that have been? Umm, umm…oh, I don't know. The entire freaking internet, maybe? Have either of you even stopped to think about the role this board alone plays in getting people through difficult times? Do you even take time to read it? How about some thoughtful contemplation before you judge? Any simple dolt could exploit the raw emotions of the situation and vilify someone for 'making light,' but you're simply being intellectually lazy by dismissing the attempt out of hand. I'm sure that makes the individuals under scrutiny, their families, friends, spouses, children, and parents feel loads better when they read the venomous things spouted here on a daily basis. And how are volunteer nickname committee members -- clearly doing their best with a difficult situation, and with nothing but love for UND -- public figures deserving of such scorn? Don't overplay your hand here, boys. Yes, homicide is an ugly thing, but character assassination isn't a whole lot prettier. Let's talk about community standards for a second. Lowest, classless, POS? What makes your opinion any more valid than mine. I think what you are really trying to say is that my original post was in poor taste. Please show me where being in poor taste violates the forum rules: It's a sense of humor. It may not be your sense of humor, but since when has that ever mattered. I'm not asking anyone to laugh or even get the joke, but please respect my rights the same as I do yours. Sorry, Frozen4sioux, I'm not going anywhere. (You and the others wouldn't want it any other way.) Yeah, funny thing about locked threads. Hard to have much of a discussion. (And, for the record, when it was locked shortly after it was started, there were absolutely ZERO down votes -- kind of begs the question why a comment in a 'locked' thread can still be voted up or down.) Maybe I wanted to simply start the discussion with a topical ice-breaker and included a throwaway graphic for yuks. Maybe I was interested in seeing how people were reacting to the news. Heck, maybe I had to step away and take a shower to get ready for work. Who cares? Killing the thread was an overreaction, especially when there were so many other options (down votes, criticisms, responses, etc.). "Dislike of Wal-Mart"? Now you're just making stuff up. Oh, I get it. Personal attacks on me to teach a lesson about class. Sorry but I guess I'm just not enlightened like y'all. I have to say as a long-time visitor to siouxsports.com that I am surprised by the knee-jerk reactions and the thin skin around here. Think for just a second…(one, Mississippi)…why is it you are so upset? It must have been all those horrible, cold, and insensitive things I said about the victims, the perpetrator, the survivors and loved ones, Wal-Mart employees, Grand Forks, and gun control, right? (Six words, people. Count 'em. Six. And a mildly suggestive JPEG.) Break out the torches and pitchforks! "Grasping for anything and everything?" Whether you realize it or not, and like it or not, I'm fighting for all of you. Hair-trigger moderators confusing taste with "class" and applying dubious standards aren't doing anyone any favors, and the forum suffers. Nobody on here is hitting a home run every time they post…believe me. "Take a shot at Grand Forks"? Under the circumstances, Dagies, I have to question your choice of metaphor…talk about crass, insensitive, and untimely. And don't anyone dare to suggest I don't care about this community because you have absolutely no clue what you're talking about. Oh, and before I forget, the down vote arrow is the red one down and to the right. In case you forgot. Since the last time you clicked on this thread. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some baby seals to club. I'll upload the video here and sell the pelts on eBay. (I would have preferred to sell them in person at the Wal-Mart on 32nd, but they haven't re-opened yet.)

Yet, the countless threads with serial, malicious, and personal attacks on UND administrators, nickname committee members, nickname advocates, etc., are just dripping with class, right? Please forgive me for thinking the prevailing community standards on this forum are a little difficult to peg.

That's what the downvote function is for. Downvote me to oblivion...but for God's sakes, let there be a discussion. Besides, when would it be "timely" to discuss current events?

I am pleased to report that there is nothing newsworthy in Grand Forks that would merit any discussion here whatsoever, let alone on the Community forum. Thank heavens the moderators are here to protect us from commentary, satire, dark humor, and anything else that might arise if, God forbid, there were anything going on in Grand Forks. If there had been a newsworthy event, this message would be followed by insightful and perhaps even witty discussion and the free flow of ideas. Since there is nothing going on, might as well lock this thread, too. Censorship sucks.

Always Low Prices. Even in crisis.

Why wait until Monday morning…some people feel compelled to quarterback this thing at the end of the first quarter. The committee hasn't even had a chance to discuss any of the merits of the candidates going forward. Keep in mind the extremely low threshold thus far -- one vote was enough to advance. And that was cold. I would urge people to not put too much stock in the winnowing process. At the very least, wait to see how things shake out: * discussion * further narrowing [rinse, lather, repeat as necessary] * establishment of voting protocol * campaigning * the vote * receipt of the vote by the president * presidential decision-making * public announcement * graphics and design process(es) * introduction of logo(s)/mascot(s) Give it a chance!

Undescended testicle.

I would vote for Peace Gardeners, but spelled Piece Gardeners. The logo could be a razor crossed with tweezers over a jar of wax.

My money's on Rob Port…Complainer-in-Chief.

New staff??? That's like hanging a new air freshener in your car and calling it a rebuild.

I floated this a while back and I don't think there's much of a stomach for that around here. To your question, I haven't heard anything to suggest that a color change is even remotely under official consideration.* Dem colors run deep. * - Besides, the semester is over and it would be nearly impossible to convene the requisite three committees.

Yes, and we could show the Twins exactly where an opportunity was missed.

I'd never discount the importance of winning, but I've got to believe that having a readily identifiable brand on clothing and in and around the home has a tremendous impact on kids growing up and wanting to be a part of a particular school's tradition, thereby driving enrollment and growth well into the future. Goofy animated caricatures and mascots may not be your cup of tea, but they certainly score with a key demographic. And royalty revenue can have very tangible benefits. If nothing else, next Christmas could be super easy for those of you with out-of-town friends and relatives (especially younger ones), all courtesy of UND's re-branding efforts.

New nickname => Do it right, I'm buying something, maybe a lot of things. New nickname => Do it wrong, I'm probably not buying anything, but I'll wait for a new hockey sweater to decide for sure. No new nickname => I'm definitely not buying anything. Period. It's not a conspiracy…it's marketing.

Is there any chance we can convince the Flyers to hire Katie Hale and make it a package deal?

They'll have a leg up once the Phire Hak threads start.