“Big Love” decided it won’t be showing any love to the U.
HBO released a statement Wednesday that it did not violate federal law by using the U's logo and name in its most recent episode of “Big Love,” which aired in March.
The name and logo’s use in the episode was brought to the U administration’s attention as a complete surprise. HBO had never asked for permission to use the trademark, which is a violation of federal trademark law, said U spokeswoman Coralie Alder. The U’s agent, Collegiate Images, issued a cease-and-desist letter to HBO on Tuesday, requesting that they erase the name and logo from the episode and any reruns of the episode in the future.
HBO had until July 20 to respond. But they wasted no time in saying no.
“HBO is confident that nothing in our program violates anyone’s rights and we will be responding in due course,” its statement said. The network’s attorneys will be contacting the U’s about what legal actions each side might take. However, they did not hint as to whether the name and logo will be left out of reruns of the episode.
U President Michael Young condemned the cable network on Tuesday for using the U’s block red logo and name without asking them first. Using them could lead the public to wrongly believe that the U is associated with “Big Love” when it isn’t in any way, he said.
In the March 22 episode, a U letterhead sporting the block U logo and name is displayed as a report from one of the U’s research labs. The trademarks in question are on screen for about three seconds. In the show, Bill Henrickson, the polygamist main character, finds a historical letter from former Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Wilford Woodruff that legitimizes the practice of polygamy. The U report in question authenticates the fictional letter.
The U is happy to sponsor programs and events, and has in the past, Coralie Alder said Tuesday. The difference is that the school was asked to lend its name, trademark and reputation, where as HBO appropriated it without so much as a head’s up, she said.
HBO spokeswoman Tonya Owens could not be immediately reached for comment. Alder declined to comment further until the U has seen and reviewed HBO’s refusal.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
m.mcfall@chronicle.utah.edu
Editor's note -- U President Michael Young condemns the cable network's action; he does not condone it.
The Daily Utah Chronicle > News
'Big Love' denies wrongdoing with U's logo
Published: Friday, July 10, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Your ignorance and bigotry are evidenced by your 'wacky magic underwear rituals' comment. No such thing is a part of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, although you have been probably taught to believe that. Your lack of respect for what is sacred to many people stinks just as badly as HBO's lack of respect for the religion of 13 million people world wide. Should the U request that HBO not use the school logo? Of course, I wouldn't want to be associated with the slandering of any religion. Should they take legal action, I don't think so. I think the blurring of logos on all types of shows now borders on the absurd, almost as absurd as your backwards view on the faith of my fathers.