Boise State University is suing Portland-based grocery chain Fred Meyer for trademark infringement on merchandise being sold in advance of this week’s football showdown against Oregon.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Boise last Thursday accuses the grocer of selling blue and orange shirts at several stores close to the BSU campus and adjacent to officially sanctioned apparel. The shirts include statements like “Duck Season” and “Buck the Ducks,” and feature pictures of a bronco kicking a duck.
University lawyers contend the shirts were not officially licensed through the school’s licensing agent and infringe on name and color scheme trademarks.
School officials have been working to resolve the matter, and the grocery chain has reportedly been cooperative. Shirts are being removed from stores, so if you’ve already bought one, consider it a collectors’ item.
The No. 14 Broncos open the season Thursday night at home against No. 16 Oregon.