Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Forks man is seeking rights to a former nickname tied to the University of North Dakota.
Public records show Tyler Wilson filed a federal trademark application for “Fighting Sioux.” The filing was made in May. It lists clothing as the main category.
What the filing covers
The application describes apparel items. It includes jerseys, shirts, jackets, sweaters, and hats. A trademark can control how a mark is used in commerce.
Trademark filings are reviewed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A filing does not mean approval. The review can take months and may face challenges.
Readers can view general trademark tools at the USPTO Trademarks site. Searches can be done in the Trademark Search system.
UND disputes the claim
The University of North Dakota says it strongly disputes the trademark claim. The university said it is working to resolve the issue with Wilson.
A university spokesperson said official marks are managed with care. The university did not share more details. It cited ongoing talks with Wilson.
UND’s marks and use rules are often handled through school brand guidance. UND information is available through the University of North Dakota website.
Background on the nickname
UND used “Fighting Sioux” for decades as an athletic identity. The name was retired in 2012. The change followed years of NCAA pressure.
UND later adopted “Fighting Hawks” as the new nickname. That move became official in 2015. NCAA policy and history details can be found at the NCAA website.
This trademark dispute could affect future product sales and branding. It may also lead to formal challenges during the review process.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.