Oklahoma football: Mea culpa on Oregon mimicking OU logo on Fiesta Bowl helmet

The interlocking O and U logo on the crimson Oklahoma football helmet is almost 50 years old and one of the most recognizable brand identities in college sports.

In an article this week about the interlocking U and O log on the helmet worn by Oregon in its Fiesta Bowl game against Liberty earlier this week, I commented about the striking similarity of the design, albeit in reverse order and in different color, to the Oklahoma registered trademark.

I suggested that it might be a trademark violation or, at the very least, a slap in the face at OU.

As someone who strongly values integrity and accuracy in what I write as well admitting when I am wrong

I was subsequently informed by an Oregon fan that the logo that appeared on the team's helmet in this week's Fiesta Bowl game was a former logo design the university used that dates back to the late 60s insofar as its application as part of the Oregon football helmet history. That logo predates the current licensed trademark of the iconic Oregon "O," which was officially introduced in December 1998, when Oregon, in combination with Nike unveiled a new uniform design.

The interlocking O and U at Oklahoma replaced an earlier logo design of a Conestoga wagon with lettering spelling out Oklahoma above it. That served as the University of Oklahoma brand identity from 1951 to 1966. The interlocking logo design first appeared in 1967 and has taken several different forms, the most recent of which was introduced in 2000

I stand corrected. No harm, no foul.