KENTUCKY — The phrase “Team Kentucky” is at the center of a trademark battle between the University of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The university is opposing a move by the state to trademark the phrase for use on clothing products.

The state filed to trademark “Team Kentucky,” a phrase Gov. Andy Beshear has used frequently since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

UK said it supports the governor’s use of the phrase, but that under trademark laws, it must assert ownership of the words and images.

“UK has been working alongside the governor’s office throughout this process,” said a statement from UK spokesperson Jay Blanton. “The governor’s office was aware and understanding of UK’s need to meet legal deadlines to file this information permitting the parties to continue working together to get federal protection for the Team Kentucky mark.”

Spectrum News 1 reached out to the governor's office for comment but has not heard back.

The dispute has left some confounded.

Washington, D.C.-based trademark attorney Josh Gerben tweeted about the case Monday saying “this is about as silly as trademark cases get.”

“It is a head scratcher as to why the case even got this far,” Gerben wrote. “The parties presumably were in settlement talks before a formal legal action was filed. Grab your popcorn!”