Former Ohio State LB Chris Spielman and his attorney Brian Duncan said that there has been "almost no contact" with OSU since filing a class-action suit against the school last month over use of his likeness, according to Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Spielman said he "would like it to be settled." But he said that they had been "in negotiations for more than eight months before the suit was filed." Since the filing, Duncan said that there has been "no further discussion other than brief talks" with IMG College, OSU's licensing partner that was also named in the suit. Duncan: "I don't want this to go through the court system. I don't want to have to waste money on lawsuits. ... Just step up and do the right thing and everyone wins" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/7). In Toledo, Nicholas Piotrowicz wrote the suit "presents an ironic twist" for OSU -- which has been "fiercely protective of its own trademarks and branding." Since '09, OSU has "sued 14 different entities for trademark infringement in U.S. District Court, opposed dozens with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and sent hundreds of cease-and-desist letters." OSU has also "sued merchandisers, media outlets, a car dealership and a poultry farm in U.S. District Court." In some circles, OSU has a "reputation as a legal bully." But the school said that it "simply tries to protect its marks" (Toledo BLADE, 8/6).
