The University of Alabama is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was first established in 1820 and opened its doors to students in 1831. It is the largest of the public universities in Alabama, offering study programs in 13 academic divisions for bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees.
The University of Alabama boasts a rich school culture for athletics and tradition. The university’s intercollegiate athletic teams are known as the Alabama Crimson Tide. The nickname, Crimson Tide, comes from a football game against Auburn University in 1907. A sportswriter referred to the offensive line as the “Crimson Tide”, due to the team’s shorts stained red from wet dirt.
The campus is made up of almost 300 buildings in a rural area between Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. As well as being a place for academic learning, the University of Alabama is home to several museums and landmarks. The Smith Hall is the home to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, and the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art at Garland Hall hosts revolving exhibitions of contemporary art. Other notable landmarks include the President’s Mansion, the Foster Auditorium, and Maxwell Observatory.
The University sees its main rivalry against Auburn University and the University of Tennessee. Whilst the competition with Tennessee center’s around football, Auburn University is seen as the main to beat in all sports. The annual Alabama-Auburn football game is nicknamed the Iron Bowl.
Notable Alumni of the University of Alabama include:
- Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump
- Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird and Pulitzer Prize winner (attended, but did not graduate)
- Frank Minis Johnson Jr., a federal judge whose opinions were critical to the Civil Rights Movement
- Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help
- Kaitlan Collins, CNN Chief White House Correspondent and Forbes 30 under 30 in Media
- Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia
- Tom Cherones, director of Seinfeld
- Debra Marshall, former WWE, and WCW diva
- Bart Starr, former NFL player and two-time Super Bowl MVP for the Green Bay Packers
- Dwight Stephenson, former NFL player for the Miami Dolphins and Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Mel Allen, legendary “voice of the New York Yankees” and first host of The Week in Baseball
- Calvin Smith, former world record holder in the 100m sprint
Famous University of Alabama trademarks
The University of Alabama has a lot of intellectual property, which would explain its extensive trademark portfolio. As one of the first established public universities in the southwest of the United States, its history, culture, and branding protection is essential. Let’s take a look at some of its most famous trademarks.
University of Alabama
The name of the university is one of the first and oldest registered trademarks. It was first registered in 1988 by The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama and applies to:
- Notebooks and report covers
- Drinking mugs, cups, and plates
- Insulating sleeve holders for beverage cans
- Banners
- Jerseys and sweatshirts
- Educational services, such as university undergraduate, graduate, extension, community education, public lectures, workshops, seminars, and conferences
- Entertainment services, such as sports exhibitions, theatrical productions, public lectures, art exhibitions, musical concerts, dance & ballet performances, and motion picture exhibitions
Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide is the nickname for the University of Alabama’s football program and team. This nickname was adopted during the 1907 season. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. As a wordmark only, the registration is extensive and applies to a wide variety of goods and services. This trademark was registered in 1985 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama and applies to:
- Keyrings, metal license plates, and frames for vehicles
- Pocket knives
- Megaphones
- Electrical fans for domestic use, electric nightlights, and lamps
- Gold pins, necklaces, bracelets, gold earrings, chains, broaches, watches, tie-tacks, and clocks
- Stationery items, including notebooks, loose-leaf binders, writing paper and envelopes, desk pads, notepad holders, letter openers, pencil clips, and plastic containers for paper clips
- Appointment books, address books, wall calendars, protective binders for diplomas
- Pens, pen, and pencil sets
- Bookends, lap boards for holding books and paper
- Decals, picture postcards, bumper stickers, playing cards
- School bookbags, tote bags, hand luggage, briefcases, attache bags, briefcase-type portfolios, backpacks, garment bags for travel, and umbrellas
- Pillows, stadium cushions, chair cushions, and decorative wall plaques
- Drinking mugs, glasses and cups, plates, vacuum bottles, and picnic coolers
- Towels, blankets, and banners
- Undershirts, sleep shirts, t-shirts, jerseys, sweatshirts, shorts, jackets, vests, shoes, mittens, scarves, socks, and caps
- Belt buckles, clothing patches, and shoelaces
- Racquet covers, footballs, toy stuffed animals, and toy flying discs
- Ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and pipes
The Crimson Standard
The Crimson Standard is a 10-year athletics initiative to upgrade the student-athlete experience at the University of Alabama, to provide the best environment to recruit and train the best student-athletes. As well as the facility upgrades, the initiative also offers a scholarship program to support the financial health of Alabama Athletics. The trademark was first registered in 2019 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama and applies to:
- Clothing, such as T-shirts, shirts, hats, ladies’ tops, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, vests, caps, men’s and women’s clothing, headwear, sports caps and hats, knit shirts and polo shirts, golf shirts, and visors
- Organizing and conducting college sports competitions and athletic events
- Providing facilities for sporting events, athletic competitions, and awards programs
- Accepting and administering monetary charitable contributions
- Charitable services, including providing financial sponsorship of college athletics
- Charity fundraising services
- Granting funds to schools
- Providing college scholarships
Individually distinct. Altogether stronger.
The University of Alabama system, which is made up of three separate institutions (the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville) rebranded for a united impact on their teaching and research programs. The tagline “individually distinct. Altogether stronger.” was established and promoted to recognize the unity of the three institutions. This is one of the newest trademarks, as it was registered in 2021, and applies to:
- Printed articles, including pamphlets for prospective new students
- University-related news, events, facilities, and curriculum
- Stickers, bumper stickers, letterhead stationery, blank note cards, envelopes, folders, and desk pads
- Umbrellas
- Cups and insulating sleeve holders for beverage cans, drinking glasses, plastic cups
- Providing courses of instruction at the college and post-graduate level
- Educational services, such as providing classes, seminars, workshops, community forums, symposiums, and internships
- Educational and entertainment services, including providing motivational and educational speakers
- Arranging professional workshops and training courses
- Educating at university or colleges
Wrapping up
Registering your trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will help protect your intellectual property. The University of Alabama has over 80 marks under trademark protection, including university initiatives, research initiatives, logos, and taglines.
Take a look at our other famous trademarks here.
