Logo Denied For Condom

It looks as if students won't be taking old Veritas to bed with them.

Although everything from sweatshirts to boxer shorts may sport the Harvard insignia, a recent proposal to add condoms to that list fell short last month.

When Euro Pacific International approached the University's AIDS Education and Outreach Program with the idea of marketing personalized school condoms, the Office of Trademarks and Licensing rejected the offer--for fear of repercussions from a defective condom.

"If the condom is not effective, the University does not want to be liable for it," said Sylvia J. Struss, a Harvard trademark administrator.

In addition, a University Health Services official in formed the company that using "the Harvard logo on the side condoms would be an unacceptable and inappropriate use of the Harvard name and marks."

Struss said another company discussed a similar proposal last year with University officials. She said the request was denied ant set the precedent for this latest at tempt.

EuroPacific International also said it would donate a percentage of the profits from the Crimson condoms to the Harvard AIDS Education and Outreach program.

But Carlo Deantonio '92, a staff members ofPeer Contraceptive Counselors, said the Harvardlogo on the shaft of the condom would be apositive step in encouraging safe sex.

"As long as it doesn't decrease theeffectiveness of the condom, I don't see anyreason not put the logo on the condom," Deantoniosaid.

Deantonio said the logo would demonstrate "thatthe use of condoms is a legitimate activity andthe practice of safe sex is something Harvardwould support."

EuroPacific chose Harvard as the starting pointfor the product for this very reason, said companypresident Christopher J. Tingus.

Tingus, who proposed that the condoms be soldthrough a designated University outlet, said theUniversity's present level of AIDS educationcreates the "perfect scenario" for eventuallymarketing the product at other schools.

Tingus said the project is one way forbusinesses to accept social responsibility. Hesaid his objective is to establish the sale ofpersonalized condom in very school in the country.

Through Harvard, Tingus said, the company "canbuild on furthering safe sex education to thoseschools which do not have such so phisticatedprograms" already in motion

But Carlo Deantonio '92, a staff members ofPeer Contraceptive Counselors, said the Harvardlogo on the shaft of the condom would be apositive step in encouraging safe sex.

"As long as it doesn't decrease theeffectiveness of the condom, I don't see anyreason not put the logo on the condom," Deantoniosaid.

Deantonio said the logo would demonstrate "thatthe use of condoms is a legitimate activity andthe practice of safe sex is something Harvardwould support."

EuroPacific chose Harvard as the starting pointfor the product for this very reason, said companypresident Christopher J. Tingus.

Tingus, who proposed that the condoms be soldthrough a designated University outlet, said theUniversity's present level of AIDS educationcreates the "perfect scenario" for eventuallymarketing the product at other schools.

Tingus said the project is one way forbusinesses to accept social responsibility. Hesaid his objective is to establish the sale ofpersonalized condom in very school in the country.

Through Harvard, Tingus said, the company "canbuild on furthering safe sex education to thoseschools which do not have such so phisticatedprograms" already in motion