It looks like this could go either way. On one hand the surname Purdue has been around since the 1500's or so, well before the University. Furthermore I don't think that you can trademark a surname. Now if you had used PurdueUOnline.com then that is a clearer case against you. The only thing I would do is remove direct references to "Purdue University" from the page. Which in a way defeats the purpose of the site as a resource. You can check out the site http://www.netpolicy.com/ as they may be able to help you find counsel. DO NOT GIVE UP! Far too many people are rolling over when it comes to this. There will come a time in the near future where the courts will have to do some serious re-evaluation of the trademark process. If it keeps going like this you'll have people trademarking words like "the" or "and" and trying to charge royalties. Come on!
Slashdot Mirror
It looks like this could go either way. On one hand the surname Purdue has been around since the 1500's or so, well before the University. Furthermore I don't think that you can trademark a surname. Now if you had used PurdueUOnline.com then that is a clearer case against you. The only thing I would do is remove direct references to "Purdue University" from the page. Which in a way defeats the purpose of the site as a resource. You can check out the site http://www.netpolicy.com/ as they may be able to help you find counsel. DO NOT GIVE UP! Far too many people are rolling over when it comes to this. There will come a time in the near future where the courts will have to do some serious re-evaluation of the trademark process. If it keeps going like this you'll have people trademarking words like "the" or "and" and trying to charge royalties. Come on!