The University of Houston has decided to go against the NFL and the Tennessee Titans by reversing their decision to abandon an alternate Columbia Blue color scheme last year. Athletic director Chris Pezman explained that after reviewing everything, they have decided to move forward with the color scheme. Despite informing the league of their decision, the NFL has not responded as of Tuesday. Pezman mentioned that they are giving the league two or three weeks to respond before proceeding.
Despite potential backlash from the league, Pezman defended the decision by stating that the city uses the color scheme for various purposes. He believes it is a defensible position and not a reach to implement the alternate color scheme. The University of Houston may have an advantage as the Texans recently introduced an alternate uniform that also uses the color. It seems unlikely that anyone can claim intellectual property rights over a color, and Pezman is confident in their position.
If the NFL were to take legal action against the University of Houston, they would likely face backlash for suing over the use of a color. It would make the league appear as the big, bad wolf in the situation. Despite potential risks, it seems determined to move forward with their alternate Columbia Blue color scheme.
It’s important to note that while it may seem unlikely for someone to claim intellectual property rights over a color, it’s still possible for them to do so depending on how widespread and well-known that specific shade of blue is associated with a particular brand or company. If such rights exist, any attempts by other entities like universities or sports teams to use that same shade could be seen as infringement and potentially lead to legal action.
Ultimately, whether or not this decision will be successful remains uncertain until we see what kind of response from both parties comes up in these coming weeks. However, one thing is clear: The University of Houston won’t let anyone stand in their way when it comes to using colors they feel are meaningful and valuable for their community.
