UAFS: City director candidate illegally using logo

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith officials are running into resistance in convincing a Fort Smith City Director candidate to quit using the university’s logo on campaign materials.

Eric Arthur, candidate for Fort Smith City Director – Position 6, is using a reverse image of the UAFS logo on his campaign brochures and yard signs. Arthur is trying to unseat City Director Kevin Settle in the Nov. 2 general election.

Sondra Lamar, director of public relations at UAFS, said Arthur was not given permission to use the logo. She said UAFS Chancellor Paul Beran “informally contacted” Arthur to ask him to remove the signs and literature with the logo. Beran told Arthur legal action would be used if necessary, at which point Arthur “referred us to his legal counsel,” Lamar said in a note.

Lamar also sent this statement from Beran: "The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith as an institution formally endorses absolutely no candidate at any level.

UA System attorneys have spoken with Eric Arthur’s attorney, and he has asked for verification that we own the trademark. Even though UA Fort Smith has the trademark, by right of use, he has asked for legal documentation, which we are in the process of providing. A formal cease-and-desist letter will be sent once the documentation is received that shows the trademark is ours and ours alone. We are distressed by the fact that Mr. Arthur does not respect the university enough to understand that the image is, in fact, our stock and trade and he has tried to capitalize by encroaching on our logo for his campaign."

When asked for a comment, Arthur sent this statement (unedited) to The City Wire: “That is a common architectural design from the east coast to the south
My Artist is not from Fort Smith and there was no intention to copy anyones logo and it is not the their logo”

If the matter goes to court, it will be the second legal action Arthur faces. He has pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated and three misdemeanor charges — including fleeing police officers — related to a June 21 incident during which Fort Smith police officers arrested Arthur.

An Oct. 25 court date is scheduled for the DWI and related misdemeanor charges.