The USOC is "headed for a showdown" with U.S. Senator
Slade Gorton (R-WA) over a provision of a '78 law that "gave
the committee almost exclusive control over the word
`Olympic,' `Olympiad' or similar words that may imply a
connection with the Olympic Games," according to Les
Blumenthal of the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE. While the USOC is
trying to get Congress to "pass a bill that would streamline
the organization and update its operations," Gorton wants to
add a "minor provision" that would let a company "use the
word `Olympic' in its name when it's clear the use was
associated with a geographic landmark or region, such as the
Olympic Peninsula" in WA. Gorton said he will not allow the
USOC's bill to reach the Senate floor "unless he has his
way." Gorton: "They will either agree or not get their
bill. We are trying to be highly reasonable. The [USOC] is
not." However, USOC Dir of Government Relations Steve Bull
said that a compromise is possible "with a few minor
adjustments." Blumenthal noted that more than 3,000 U.S.
companies have their word "Olympic" in their names -- a
third of them in WA. The USOC's Bull said the USOC had only
acted on trademark infringement against businesses "when
there was `egregious action'" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 9/24).
