A state lawmaker Tuesday proposed a solution to a lawsuit between UW-Madison and Washburn University, involving the trademark Motion W"" logo.
State Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, issued a statement Tuesday saying the two logos are different, one being red and the other blue.
Michael Pyritz, legislative aide to Stone, said the ""tongue in cheek"" release called for the UW System Board of Regents to drop the lawsuit filed in early December against Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.
Stone is an alumnus of Washburn University.
""While we are confident in the merits of our legal position and the necessity of filing the complaint, we are convinced that an amicable settlement is in the best interests of both the UW and Washburn,"" Cindy Van Matre, UW-Madison's trademark licensing director, said in an e-mail.
According to Van Matre, UW-Madison owns its trademarked logo outright.
""We remain hopeful that Washburn will decide to adopt a mark for its athletic programs which is not based upon, and extremely similar to, the UW's cherished 'Motion W' mark,"" Van Matre said, adding Washburn should choose a symbol which reflects its own ""unique Ichabods mascot.""
Pyritz said the money being invested in the legal dispute could be put to better use. He said the legal fees spent on the lawsuit could instead be put toward the increase in salaries asked for by the UW System Board of Regents.
David Giroux, UW System spokesperson, said the legal fees the lawsuit is costing the UW cannot compare to the monetary value the trademark ""Motion W"" brings to the university in revenues each year.
According to the UW Athletic website, the university has used the ""Motion W"" since 1990. The university bought the rights to the logo following Athletic Director Barry Alvarez's appointment to head football coach.
Alvarez looked at 15 to 20 different designs before he chose the ""W"" designed by Rayovac artist Rick Suchanek.
