William & Mary Sues Radioactive Waste Group Over “WM” Mark (1)

The College of William and Mary, America’s second-oldest institution of higher education, accused a conference in radioactive waste management of using trademarks for educational services in violation of the school’s centuries-old rights to the famous “WM” brand.

Founded in 1693, William and Mary claims it’s used “WM” as a source identifier since the early 1690s, when it first appeared “etched on a hand-carved boundary stone that signaled the entrance to WM’s Williamsburg campus.” The university argues its “WM” marks are famous and “universally recognized and synonymous with the world-class educational services provided by the University.”

The complaint alleges W M ...