NMSU, Oklahoma State settle dispute over Classic Aggie image

New Mexico State University and Oklahoma State University today announced they have signed a licensing agreement allowing NMSU to continue using the Classic Aggie image on a limited number of materials.

“We appreciate our friends at Oklahoma State University and their willingness in helping to resolve this dispute,” said NMSU President Garrey Carruthers. “The Classic Aggie is a piece of NMSU nostalgia and this agreement allows us to continue using our Classic Aggie on items that might be appealing to our alumni and the NMSU community.”

“OSU is pleased to have this matter resolved,” said Oklahoma State President Burns Hargis. “We appreciate working with President Carruthers and his team to reach an agreement that protects OSU’s long-held interest in its trademarks, while allowing New Mexico State fans to continue to enjoy their school’s Classic Aggie.”

The Classic Aggie collection uses an image similar to one used by NMSU from the 1960s until about a decade ago. The collection was created for NMSU alumni who were fond of the older logo used during their time in school.

Under the agreement, NMSU agrees to pay OSU a licensing fee of $10 per year in perpetuity. In return, NMSU will be permitted to sell or provide as gifts a maximum of 3,000 items per year with the Classic Aggie image. The Classic Aggie merchandise may only be sold at the NMSU bookstore or its online retail space. It may only be gifted through the NMSU alumni relations office. NMSU also agrees not to use the Classic Aggie image in connection with its athletic programs or student recruitment.

With the agreement, OSU dropped its legal complaint against NMSU for use of the Classic Aggie image.

The agreement does not impact NMSU’s current logo, which was not part of the original complaint.

Source: New Mexico State University