Grambling State University Secures Trademark for Iconic 'G' Logo After Decades of Effort

An HBCU just out-negotiated the NFL, the SEC, and the USPTO — and won.
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Grambling State University secured federal trademark registration for its iconic black-and-gold "G" logo in March 2026.
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A logo the university has carried since 1974. A logo synonymous with Tiger pride, Eddie Robinson, and over five decades of HBCU excellence.
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It took nearly 30 years to make it official.
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The Green Bay Packers have held that "G" shape since 1961.
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They granted the University of Georgia rights to a similar mark in 1964.
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When Grambling first tried to register in 1998, the USPTO declined.
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So they went back. Negotiated directly with the Packers.
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Negotiated with Georgia. Built a legal argument around distinctiveness, legacy, and longstanding use.
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The condition: Grambling's "G" stays black and gold. Always.
The USPTO approved it.
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Grambling State can now stop unlicensed sellers, expand licensing deals, and control how that mark moves commercially — for the first time in the institution's history.
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This is IP and impact in action.
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#ForTheCulture
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#IAmWhatATrademarkAttorneyLooksLike
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#Trademarks #Copyrights #LicensesForSocialImpact
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#LetsPlayBig
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#SocialImpact
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#Blessed #GramblingStateUniversity
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