Ohio State secures trademark for name of football coach Urban Meyer

Hold off on those knockoff Urban Meyer windbreakers: the Ohio State football coach's name is now a registered trademark.

Ohio State has secured trademark designation for Urban Meyer from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to Kelsey Husnick of The Columbus Dispatch.

Half of the royalties from use of the coach's name will go to Ohio State, while the other half will go to Meyer, who says he plans to direct such funds to a family foundation.

"It's not uncommon for celebrities and people in the public to seek protection of their name and likeness," said Rick Van Brimmer, director of trademark and licensing services at Ohio State.

Van Brimmer attributed the need for the trademark to Meyer's heightened stature following Ohio State's national championship win last season.

The trademarks for Urban Meyer and the phrase "Urban Meyer Knows," issued July 7, provide protection on clothing items, namely hats and T-shirts.

"Based on his celebrity status, there are people who have used it on product without permission and (we) have had to approach them," Van Brimmer said. "This just affords us another level of legal protection."

Although Meyer is the first Buckeyes coach to have his name registered as a trademark, coaches such as Jim Tressel and Thad Matta have had certain agreements and protections for use of their names included in their contracts.