'Johnnies' sparks lawsuit challenging its use by St. John's University
Saint John's in Minnesota wants St. John’s University in Queens to stop using "Johnnies." Credit: St. John's University
Saint John’s University in Minnesota is suing St. John’s University in Queens, saying the latter's use of "Johnnie" and "Johnny" is too similar to the former's trademarked nickname, "Johnnies."
The suit, filed at U.S. District Court in Minnesota, seeks to have St. John’s ordered to stop using "Johnnie" and "Johnny" and remove the names from marketing materials, clothing and other places, and to pay damages.
Saint John’s, based in Collegeville, Minnesota, has used "Johnnies," the suit says, since 1900, and got it trademarked more than a century later, and the Queens university started using the similar names recently.
Brian Browne, the Queens university's spokesman, declined to comment, and Laura Myers, the lawyer listed in court records for the Minnesota school, did not return a voicemail seeking comment.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
