It’s not easy to point to the signal conflict that spurred the feud between Texas and Oklahoma. Certainly, the well-documented 1931 border confrontation between Oklahoma Gov. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray and rifle-wielding Texas Rangers wasn’t a highpoint in interstate relations.

Fast forward to 2011, and football foes The University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma now share ownership in the trademark for the term “Red River Rivalry.” As such, according to Munck Carter trademark attorney Dyan House, those schools have a mutual interest in protecting the trademark now that the Oklahoma Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks are trading baskets in the NBA Western Conference Finals.

“If the universities allow the unauthorized use of the ‘Red River Rivalry’ brand, it weakens the trademark," House says. House expects both schools to be on alert for unauthorized uses on hats, T-shirts, signs and other promotional materials, so they can take immediate action during the Mavs-Thunder playoff series.

While jointly enforcing a trademark doesn’t equate to Woodstock, it certainly is a step up from open hostility.