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The University of South Carolina Wednesday, November30, 2005 VoL99,No.46 • Since 1908 Laura-Joyce Gough / THE CAMEOOGK K Gamecocks, Trojans in dispute over 1< >go Private school files opposition to Carolina's use of‘SC mark (Dichael LaForgia and Stephen Fastenau THE GAMECOCK The University of South Carolina for the k past two years has been tangled in a legal " dispute with the University of Southern California over use of the stylized “SC” mark that appears on uniforms worn by Gamecock baseball and softball players. The disagreement, which is still pending decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, began when Carolina filed for a trademark on its baseball and softball teams’ logo in 1997. In 2003, Southern California filed an opposition in the patent office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board because of the Carolina logo’s similarity to the interlocking “SC” mark used by the West coast school, records show. Southern California spokesman James Grant declined to comment. “My client is always actively policing its mark, so they’re always looking out for people who are using their mark,” said Scott Edelman, one of two lawyers representing Southern California in the case, in a telephone interview. Southern California registered the non stylized letters “SC,” which appear on Trojans sweatshirts and athletic uniforms, as a word mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1994. Carolina spokesman Russ McKinney referred questions to John McEIwaine, the private attorney representing Carolina in the process. McKinney said Carolina’s legal office hired McEIwaine, a Charleston-based lawyer, because he specializes in patent and trademark law. “They claim that they were the first institution to use the letters ‘SC’ in connection with their services and in connection with their products,” McElwaine said of Southern California. “And we have correctly pointed out that the University of South Carolina has been around since 1801.” Unlike civil or criminal court proceedings, attorneys in trademark disputes present arguments on paper, and the patent offices trial and appeal board decides the case. In a counter claim to Southern California’s opposition, McElwaine argued that the letters “SC” form an insignia that the state of South Carolina has used for hundreds of years, and that Southern California’s use of those letters affiliates the private school with the Palmetto State. Southern California lawyer Michael Adler DISPUTE • 6 mi"1 - Ww Nick Esarts / PI IK <.AM K<KK:K A portion of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is on display through Dec. 1 in the Capstone Conference Room. Video camera helps USC go international Ten schools worldwide to participate in USC’s AIDS Day videoconference Gina Uasselli STAFF WRITER As part of World AIDS Day events, USC will be connected via videoconference to 10 schools worldwide on Thursday. The videoconference will be held in Gambrell Hall 430 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Students are invited to attend, but only two audience members will be allowed to participate in the discussion. The event was organized by United Nations Associate Student Alliance and Americans for Informed Democracy. Two of the schools are in Africa: the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in South Africa and the Distance Learning Center in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. Three sites, the two schools in Africa and the World Bank of Washington, D.C., will give seven-minute presentations. The conference will then open up to questions. The videoconference will be set up to have a large screen, where the person speaking will be on one side of the screen and the other sites will be shown, smaller, on the other side of tlje screen. “We can see everyone and we can hear everyone,” said Sarah Dunn, a first-year international business student and co-president of AID at use. A moderator will make sure the discussion and questions stay on topic and do not continue for longer than necessary. AID used the technology that allows the World Bank to communicate with its satellite offices to set up the videoconference. “The same technology that they use can be equally used at USC,” said Seth Green, AID chairman. The questions will focus on “the challenges aiid the possibilities (of dealing with the AIDS epidemic), to talk about how the US can be helpful as a partner, and where the U.S. fits into resolving some of the issues,” Green said. The videoconference is part of a nationwide series called Fighting for What’s Right, sponsored by AID. The goal of the series is to raise awareness about global development issues and to discuss America’s responsibilities to those living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockneu>s@gwm. sc. edu (Women’s support group gives older student place on campus Kelly Cavanaugh FOB THE GAMECOCK On one side of the University 101 class sits a group of freshmen. On the other sits a group of transfer students, some 2 5-years-old and older. Bufly Russ knows well what it’s like to feel out of place. At 26, her life experiences differ greatly from those of the 18- and 19-year-olds across the room from her. And attending such seminars as “Sex and the College Student” seems poindess, given that she is the mother of two young children. Thanks to the women’s group “For Those 25 and Older,” which began this semester, Russ said she has found a support network, a refuge where she can share her thoughts and feelings with women who understand. “It helps me realize that I’m not the only person in the world in my situation,” said Russ, a third-year biology student. “It helps me not feel so isolated.” There are 3,484 women at USC who fall into the aforementioned age bracket. Erica Renfrew, program advisor for Leadership and Women’s Student Services, said she started the group because women ^approached her abyut inniiar rhlf ir i, \tvil college women face. On the weekends, Russ works nights as a lull-time respiratory therapist at Aiken Regional Medical Center. She said some people say to her “Are . you crazy? Are you trying to kill yourself? Why are you doing that?” but that most of the other women in the group do the same thing. “They understand how hard it is,” she said. For Russ, balancing school, a family and a full-time job means studying between classes and on work breaks. Her day begins at 5:30 a.m. and sometimes does not end until 1 a.m., but Russ said managing her busy schedule empowers her. “I want my children to see that, you know, I can still do this,” she said. “I can do anything I want to do.” A vibrant social life does not come easily for non-traditional college students, Russ said. “Most of the people that I do socialize with either didn’t go to college or they’re done with that, and they’re moved on to a different stage in their life,” she said. “They’re supportive, but they don’t understand.” Renfrow said some women in the group prefer to be a non-traditional student because _ SUPPORT • 6 t 7 KHk'IMIIk AshUigh Quick!THIS GAMKCOCK Students exercise on treadmills and elliptical machines on the upper deck of the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. Holiday smorgasbords pose problems to dieters Katie Bech FOR THE GAMECOCK Holiday treats such as candy canes and Christmas cookies might be delicious, but the calories they contain can leave a bad taste in the mouths of dieters looking to avoid weight gain during the winter season. “One of the main things to rprr>pmkpr rlnrinrr rh/=» is don’t set unrealistic goals,” said Ashlee Watts, director of Health and Wellness Programs. “If you’re trying to lose weight, work on just maintaining. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not losing weight.” Watts stressed the need for students to consider making positive changes in their diet DIETCRS • 4 < INSIDE Viewpoints Liz White talks about sex, baby; Steven Van Haren sounds off on America’s moral dilemma with giv ing second chances on death row. 7 The Mix You say you want a resolution From Germans to Babylonians, New Year’s tradition has changed 8 ttWSR ? Wl 9K»TSJi Sports Best and Worst of 2005 The Gamecock takes a look back at the winners and sinners of this year’s college football season. 1 1