GRAND FORKS — UND announced late Thursday evening that the federal trademark registration for the word “NODAK” is being transferred to the university after a day of speculation regarding its use on its hockey jerseys and related apparel. 

In a statement to the press shortly before 8 p.m., UND spokesman David Dodds said the university has been “working diligently to ensure that NODAK LLC’s federal trademark registration did not conflict with, or call into question, the university’s existing rights in the NODAK mark.” Dodds said the rights have been acquired by UND through the mark’s use over many years, adding the “mark has very much retained its association with the University in the minds of consumers.” The agreement involved no financial transaction between UND and the LLC and “is believed to be in the best interests of all concerned,” the release said.