WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — In a significant legal victory for Penn State, a Pennsylvania jury has ruled in favor of the university in a trademark dispute concerning the unauthorized use of its classic sports logos and imagery by an online retailer.

The jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages on Wednesday in a case involving Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc., which were co-founded by Chad Hartvigson, a former minor league baseball player.

The university presented arguments that the companies were unlawfully selling “counterfeit” merchandise without obtaining the necessary rights, while the defendants contended that the vintage logos fell under public domain protections.

Several other universities, including Purdue, Stanford, and UCLA, have brought similar lawsuits against the two companies, as indicated by Penn State in its 2021 legal filing. Penn State’s case was particularly notable as it was the first to progress to trial, drawing significant attention from various stakeholders.

In a statement following the jury’s decision, Penn State emphasized the importance of its trademarks, stating, “Our trademarks are a direct and critical representation of the Penn State brand, and we are gratified by the jury’s decision in our favor.” The university also recognized the significance of this outcome for its numerous licensed vendors who adhere to proper processes for utilizing the university’s trademarks.

As of now, there has been no announcement from the defendants regarding a potential appeal, with attempts to reach their legal counsel yielding no immediate responses.

The verdict concluded a six-day trial held in federal court in Williamsport, presided over by Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann.

Since its establishment in 1855, Penn State has developed a rich tradition, adopting the Nittany Lion mascot in 1904, and has been using various depictions of the lion, its seal, and other brand logos for many years. The university currently enrolls over 100,000 students across 24 campuses.