WVU suing clothing manufacturer for obscene shirts

CLARKSBURG - West Virginia University's Board of Governors is suing a Morgantown clothing manufacturer responsible for the controversial "West F***** Virginia" shirts and similar apparel in federal court, claiming trademark infringement.

The university argues that the manufacturer's actions could inflict "irreparable harm" to its goodwill and reputation, according to its 25-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia Jan. 6.

The named defendants are MivaMan LLC, Kevin W. Ford and JFord Inc.

According to the complaint, MivaMan is a Morgantown clothing manufacturer and/or retailer that mostly sells to the public, but also operates the website www.fastees.com.

Ford, of Morgantown, is the organizer and managing member of MivaMan and was "intimately involved" in the business, according to WVU's complaint.

The third defendant, JFord, facilitates and/or processes the sales of MivaMan's and Ford's merchandise and is based in Charleston, the complaint states.

WVU is suing the defendants for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, cyberpiracy and unfair competition under the Federal Trademark Act of 1946, trademark and anti-dilution laws in West Virginia and unfair competition laws in the state.

"Defendants sold and are selling merchandise that incorporates word marks, color schemes and other source-identifying indicia associated with WVU BOG," WVU alleges.

"Defendants' t-shirt designs are calculated to create the misimpression that Defendants' merchandise is licensed or sponsored by or otherwise affiliated with WVU BOG."

In particular, the university accuses the defendants of producing and selling shirts, coolers and temporary tattoos that say the following:

- West F***** Virginia;
- West By God Virginia;
- Let's Go! Drink some bEERS!;
- Best F***** Virginia;
- Gold F***** Rush;
- Blood Sweat and Eers;
- West Virginia Girls Do It In The Mud;
- I am 99 Percent West Virginia;
- I Only Flash West Virginia Fans;
- I Only Sleep With West Virginia Fans;
- The Incredible EERS; and
- VERY WASTED.

Other shirts sold by the defendants include an image of the state of West Virginia and a hand raising its middle finger interposed between the words "West" and "Virginia"; another with "West F***** Virginia" and a yellow fist in the middle; and another with the words "Don't Curse" on the front and on the back "West F***** Virginia."

WVU takes issue not just with the combination of the obscene language and the marks used, but also the defendants' pervasive use of the university's color scheme.

"WVU BOG's gold and blue color scheme has achieved significant fame and public recognition, especially when appearing in connection with athletic teams and events and related apparel items," it wrote.

"Because of its widespread use in connection with WVU BOG's activities and licensed merchandise, the gold and blue color scheme has tremendous power as a source identifier of WVU BOG, particularly when used in connection with other indicia identifying or suggesting West Virginia University, such as references to athletic events in which a West Virginia University team is participating, the history of West Virginia University's athletic successes, or the geographic area in which West Virginia University is located."

WVU also takes issue with the similarity of some of the expressions used on the shirts to ones commonly used by the university.

For example, WVU argues that the "Let's Go! Drink some bEERS!" shirt "clearly references" WVU's popular cheer, "Let's Go! Mountaineers!"

The university, it notes, also owns common law trademark rights to "Gold Rush."

In filing its lawsuit, WVU is seeking to prevent the defendants from continuing to use its marks to "pass off" their merchandise as that of the university's.

"Defendants' misconduct is likely to cause confusion and to deceive consumers and the public and will continue to do so absent relief from this Court," the complaint states.

West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw is representing WVU in the case.

According to the complaint, WVU is asking the federal court to preliminary and permanently enjoin the defendants from using WVU's marks or any other copy, reproduction or "colorable imitation or simulation" of the university's marks on or in connection with their apparel.

The university also is asking the court to order the defendants to recall any products found to infringe or violate its rights, and for the defendants to deliver for "impoundment" and "destruction" all clothing items, bags, boxes, labels, tags, signs, packages, receptacles, advertising, sample books, promotional material, stationary or other materials that infringe on its rights.

WVU also wants to the court to order the defendants to account to it "for any and all profits" derived by them for products found to violate the university's rights, and to pay damages to the university.

In addition, the university is asking for an order requiring the transfer of the manufacturer's domain names that use WVU's marks to the university, and to order the cancellation of the domain names.