Ohio State gets approval to trademark ‘The’ for merchandise

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio State University has won its fight to trademark the word ``The.’’ The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved the university’s request Tuesday.

The school says it allows Ohio State to control use of ``The’' on branded products associated with and sold through athletics and collegiate channels.

Those include such items as T-shirts, baseball caps and hats. A university spokesman noted that ``THE has been a rallying cry in the Ohio State community for many years.

The university’s licensing and trademark program generates over $12.5 million a year in revenue, which helps fund student scholarships and university programs.