NCAA Football 14 News Post

SEC, Pac-12, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

11:56 AM - August 14, 2013 by vhhsfu0509

The Southeastern Conference announced today that it will not, as a conference, license its trademarks in the EA Sports NCAA Football video game. This decision does not involve member universities as of yet, as this only involves the SEC conference name and logo.

However, this could be the type of event that opens the flood gates to future defections from the game. While the future of the College Football series looked somewhat on stable ground after EA and the CLC agreed to a three year deal, this news rattles the very foundations and future of the series.

"Each school makes its own individual decision regarding whether or not to license their trademarks for use in the EA Sports game(s)," the SEC said in a statement. "The Southeastern Conference has chosen not to do so moving forward. Neither the SEC, its member universities, nor the NCAA have ever licensed the right to use the name or likeness of any student to EA Sports."

This is another move in response to the Ed O'Bannon case which could end collegiate video games forever given unfavorable rulings from the courts.

Today's news only brings more questions as to the viability of the product going forward.

UPDATE: ESPN's Kristi Dosh is reporting that the Big XII says they have yet to make a decision on the inclusion of their marks in future College Football video games.

UPDATE #2: ESPN is now reporting the Big Ten is out as well.

UPDATE #3: In a statement to Joystiq, a CLC representative said "150 collegiate institutions, including SEC schools, have approved renewal of the EA college football license, to begin with the 2015 edition. As with any licensed product, individual schools continue to make their own decisions."

We are putting in a question with the CLC on whether this means schools can still opt out of the game at any time or not as the wording certainly seems to leave that possibility open.

Update #4: Jeremy Fowler of CBS is reporting that the Pac-12's marks also won't be in the new game.

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Member Comments

# 1 awill25 @ 08/14/13 11:57 AM

Article:

http://m.espn.go.com/ncf/story?story...56&src=desktop

# 2 kjjnesb @ 08/14/13 11:58 AM

Wow that's a pretty significant blow.

# 3 awill25 @ 08/14/13 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjjnesb


	Wow that's a pretty significant blow.

I think there is no question that this is a game changer. Hard to imagine at least a couple other conferences won't follow suit. I do think it is only a matter of time before the NCAA reign over major college football is over. Then it will be a complete bidding war!

# 4 gamemaster-2005 @ 08/14/13 12:01 PM

Very disappointed I will no longer be able to play with my VOLS

# 5 bad_philanthropy @ 08/14/13 12:02 PM

I just wish this whole case could reach a judgement soon so we could know one way or another if the series will or won't return to normal.

# 6 Ramminyou @ 08/14/13 12:02 PM

Not surprising really. It was something I wondered when the news that ncaa was backing out first broke. These schools and conferences are just as worried about potential litigation, no matter the precautions taken. I wouldn't be surprised to see other conferences or schools follow suit.

# 7 vhhsfu0509 @ 08/14/13 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamemaster-2005


	Very disappointed I will no longer be able to play with my VOLS

Just to clarify, the article says the teams can choose on their own whether or not to participate in the game. But the SEC and all of it's naming, imagery, etc will not.

# 8 kjjnesb @ 08/14/13 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awill25


	I think there is no question that this is a game changer. Hard to imagine at least a couple other conferences won't follow suit. I do think it is only a matter of time before the NCAA reign over major college football is over. Then it will be a complete bidding war!

Yeah I mean imagine if a SEC team wins the Championship and finishes #1 yet isn't featured in the game it'd be kinda weird.

# 9 TallyBoi7 @ 08/14/13 12:04 PM

Time to create FCS football 2015...I'm sure these schools would LOVE to be on a video game again...$$$ lol

Edit: Then again...the FCS playoff system belongs to the NCAA...

# 10 Ramminyou @ 08/14/13 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhhsfu0509


	Just to clarify, the article says the teams can choose on their own whether or not to participate in the game. But the SEC and all of it's naming, imagery, etc will not.

That's true. I would be surprised if they did, but they certainly could.

# 11 simgamer0005 @ 08/14/13 12:07 PM

Quote:


	"Each school makes its own individual decision regarding whether or not to license their trademarks for use in the EA Sports game(s)," the SEC said in a statement. "The Southeastern Conference has chosen not to do so moving forward. "Neither the SEC, its member universities, nor the NCAA have ever licensed the right to use the name or likeness of any student to EA Sports."

We know that no one has licensed the right to use the name of any student to EA Sports. That's why there were no player names in the game, only numbers.

Quote:


	The NCAA's statement last month included similar language about current student athletes, but cited legal costs as the reason for not renewing its contract with EA Sports. "We are confident in our legal position regarding the use of our trademarks in video games," the NCAA said. "But given the current business climate and costs of litigation, we determined participating in this game is not in the best interests of the NCAA.

"Legal costs" are the reason for not renewing its contract with EA Sports?? Legal costs?? Really??? Aren't the legal costs in defending the lawsuit? Why would renewing the contract cost them any more in legal fees if they are confident in their legal position?

# 12 outkaz79 @ 08/14/13 12:10 PM

R.I.P. College Football

# 13 War Eagle! @ 08/14/13 12:12 PM

we can't have anything. I'm so sick of lawsuits and patent wars I don't know what to do.

forget the consumer. businesses totally run without them /sarcasm.

# 14 dghustla @ 08/14/13 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpgfan


	Someone explain how this will really change anything? I mean, not having the specific licensed SEC won't leave a big impact because there will be a generic one. Just like in the old playstation 1 and 2 Tiger Woods video games, they didn't have the Masters, but there was always a southern championship conveniently located in georgia, where it looked identical. The only thing it really affects is commentary which will hopefully mean they take some of that money and put it to better, more updated, in depth commentary.

Without 1 of the Major conferences, this game takes a serious blow. EA has to choose now if they want the game to be 100% generic or to include 90% of the other teams. This is alarming for all conference because SEC players are the least likely to join in the lawsuit since they are already paid. But for the other conferences who players aren't paid watch out.

# 15 onac22 @ 08/14/13 12:14 PM

Frank them ALL, for not sharing.

# 16 kjjnesb @ 08/14/13 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpgfan


	Someone explain how this will really change anything? I mean, not having the specific licensed SEC won't leave a big impact because there will be a generic one. Just like in the old playstation 1 and 2 Tiger Woods video games, they didn't have the Masters, but there was always a southern championship conveniently located in georgia, where it looked identical. The only thing it really affects is commentary which will hopefully mean they take some of that money and put it to better, more updated, in depth commentary.

In theory we could keep some of the SEC teams and lose some of the others. It's up to the individual schools to decide if they wish to risk being in the game while these lawsuits are pending.

# 17 vhhsfu0509 @ 08/14/13 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpgfan


	Someone explain how this will really change anything? I mean, not having the specific licensed SEC won't leave a big impact because there will be a generic one. Just like in the old playstation 1 and 2 Tiger Woods video games, they didn't have the Masters, but there was always a southern championship conveniently located in georgia, where it looked identical. The only thing it really affects is commentary which will hopefully mean they take some of that money and put it to better, more updated, in depth commentary.

The SEC is synonymous with college football. One of the great things about this series (as much as people love to bash it on these forums) is the authenticity in virtually every aspect. Not having the SEC is a major, major blow.

# 18 LPU @ 08/14/13 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dghustla


	Without 1 of the Major conferences, this game takes a serious blow. EA has to choose now if they want the game to be 100% generic or to include 90% of the other teams. This is alarming for all conference because SEC players are the least likely to join in the lawsuit since they are already paid. But for the other conferences who players aren't paid watch out.

You dropped that in there so casually. Absolutely genius. I lol'd.

# 19 Unlucky 13 @ 08/14/13 12:25 PM

I wonder if O'Bannon even realizes what he's done. And if he does, if he cares at all. Taking years of enjoyment away from millions of people, for personal greed. Certainly the calling card of a villain.

# 20 moneal2001 @ 08/14/13 12:25 PM

this looks to be the first domino to fall, pac 12 or big 10 will follow suit. they will be followed by the rest of the conferences. it isn't looking good for any more college sports video games, at least until the lawsuits are finished, and only if they go the ncaa and ea's way.

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SEC, Pac-12, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games