Ohio State registers trademark for Urban Meyer

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has long been referred to as a brand name in college football, and now it's official.

Meyer's name has been registered as a secured trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to a report from The Columbus Dispatch. The university decided to apply for a trademark after the Buckeyes won the inaugural College Football Playoff and a steady stream of nonlicensed hats and T-shirts using the coach's name started to appear in Ohio and beyond.

"It's not uncommon for celebrities and people in the public to seek protection of their name and likeness," Rick Van Brimmer, director of trademark and licensing services at Ohio State, told the Dispatch.

"Based on his celebrity status, there are people who have used it on product without permission, and [we] have had to approach them," Van Brimmer added.

Meyer isn't the first big name in Columbus that Ohio State has trademarked. Basketball coach Thad Matta and former football coach Jim Tressel had similar agreements in their contracts with the school.

The name "Urban Meyer" and the phrase "Urban Meyer Knows" were officially registered for trademark on July 7.

Any money that comes from using Meyer's name on Ohio State apparel will be split evenly between the school and the coach, who plans to put his portion of the funds into a family foundation.