Michael Scott points us to the news that the University of Texas, who has a bit of a history about claiming ridiculously overbroad intellectual property rights, has been knocked down in its attempt to take over the domain texassports.org. Apparently, UT already has texassports.com, and claimed that whoever registered the .org violated UT trademarks and registered the name in “bad faith.” Thankfully, the UDRP panel reviewing the claim found this to be ridiculous, pointing out that you can’t have a trademark on a descriptive term, and “Texas sports” seems pretty damn descriptive:

“Texas sports” is geographically descriptive and not protected by trademark. The University does not have the exclusive rights to “Texas” and “Sports.” The University does not have a registered trademark for “Texas Sports.” There is no likelihood of consumer confusion.

The University did not prove “bad faith.” Again, common, geographic terms are not typically going to rise to the level of a bad faith acquisition.

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