NFL demands Houston Cougars stop wearing Oilers inspired uniforms, per report

The NFL has reportedly threatened legal action against the University of Houston for its Oilers-inspired alternate uniforms, demanding the football team to stop wearing them.

The league sent a cease-and-desist letter to the university, the Houston Chronicle reported, arguing the uniforms were "blatant copying" of the Oilers-inspired jerseys. The NFL also demanded the university discontinue sales of merchandise related to the uniforms and remove any campaigns or social media posts that feature the uniforms.

The Cougars revealed the new uniforms on Aug. 31, which include a baby blue jersey with red accents, white pants with baby blue and white stripes down the side. and "Houston" on the helmet in baby blue, outlined in red with baby blue and red stripes running down the center.

The Cougars didn't mention the Oilers in the release of the uniforms, but they are close to the throwback uniforms the Tennessee Titans wore Sunday against the Falcons. Houston wore the uniforms in the regular season opener against the UTSA Roadrunners on Sept. 2, and had a ticket deal called "Love You Houston," which is similar to the name of the Oilers uniforms of "Luv Ya Blue."

The Chronicle reported the NFL notified Houston seven months prior to the uniform release it did not consent to the university use of the uniforms. The NFL said the uniforms "constitutes trademark infringement, false advertising, false association, misappropriation and unfair competition under the federal Lanham Act." 

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"The Houston Cougars’ attempt to free ride on the popularity of the NFL and the club violates the intellectual property rights of the NFL and the (Tennessee) Titans," attorney Bonnie L. Jarrett wrote in the Oct. 13 letter, the outlet reported.

Houston has not worn the uniforms since their season opening win, and Houston doesn't have merchandise related to the uniforms on its online store.