11-3-98

COUNTERFEIT T-SHIRTS SEIZED, SELLER ARRESTED

	COLUMBUS -- Working with Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies, 
Ohio State University officials today (11/3) filed charges 
against a local man for producing and selling T-shirts with non-
licensed depictions of Ohio State trademarks.

	Anthony Lukacs of Graphic Design Unlimited was arrested at 
his business, 1986 Britains Lane, Columbus, at 10:30 a.m. and 
charged with trademark counterfeiting, a fourth degree felony 
under state law.  About 600 T-shirts were seized, along with the 
tools used to print them.

	The shirts, which refer to the upcoming football game 
between Ohio State and the University of Michigan, include 
several trademark violations.  The shirt fronts show Ohio State 
and Michigan football helmets, registered trademarkes of each 
university.  The shirt backs depict Ohio State’s registered 
mascot, Brutus Buckeye, in a sexually explicit pose with a woman 
wearing a Michigan cheerleader uniform.

	“We aggressively enforce our trademark rights,” said Anne 
Chasser, director of Ohio State’s Office of Trademark and 
Licensing Services.  “We do not license any product which 
negatively reflects on the university, its mission, philosophy or 
its athletic competitors -- and we actively look for and 
prosecute those who sell unlicensed products. ”

	This arrest is the first the university has sought under the 
1997 Ohio anti-counterfeiting statute that provides criminal 
prosecution against trademark infringers.  In recent years, Ohio 
State has made close to 10 civil seizures of unlicensed goods.

	“Today’s arrest should serve as a warning to others who 
might consider creating and selling unlicensed products,” Chasser 
said.  “We appreciate the cooperation and professionalism of the 
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.  Their assistance was vital to 
the success of this investigation.”

	The university has licensed some 500 companies to produce 
authorized products with Ohio State’s registered trademarks.  
“Properly used, the trademarks are valuable to both the 
university and our licensees,” Chasser said.

	Lukacs had been granted a license to use Ohio State 
trademarks, but the shirts seized Tuesday used the images in 
unauthorized ways.   Chasser said it was particularly 
disappointing to find out the investigation into these shirts led 
back to a licensee.

	The Office of Trademark and Licensing Services works with 
companies that manufacture apparel, souvenirs, food items and 
numerous other products.  It will not license sexually explicit 
or suggestive products, “in your face” graphics, alcohol, 
tobacco, weapons or religious items.

	The university realizes approximately $3 million annually 
from royalties on licensed products.  However, Chasser said 
today’s arrest was not about money.  “These shirts harmed the 
university very little in terms of money; what we are protecting 
is our integrity and our rights.”

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Contact: Anne Chasser, director, Office of Trademark and 
Licensing Services, (614) 292-1562