School Alleges that Metal Refinery and Manufacturer Copied Copyrighted Logo
In 2012, St. Ignatius High School of Cleveland ("St. Ignatius" or the "School") hired an advertising agency named TWIST Creative, Inc. ("TWIST") to do a brand refresh for the school, which included creating new imagery and visual works. As part of that process, TWIST went through a multi-step creative effort that involved meeting with the school's religious leadership, staff, alumni, parents, and students and eventually developed a handwriting-based visual work known as the AMDG SAINT IGNATIUS EST 1886 work (the "Work"). Under their contract, the Work was created as a work made for hire, making St. Ignatius the sole copyright owner. At the time, TWIST was aware that other Jesuit institutions across the country used similar Ignatian elements in their marks but believed the Work to be a sufficiently unique compilation to stand on its own. On April 29, 2025, St. Ignatius registered the Work with the U.S. Copyright Office under Registration Number VA 2-479-195.
The real controversy in this case, however, does not stem from the relationship between TWIST and St. Ignatius but from what happened when Alexy Metals, Ltd. ("Alexy Metals"), a precious metal and brazing alloy refinery and manufacturer based in Mentor, Ohio, decided to rebrand in 2019. The company's owner, Grayson Alexy, tasked an employee named Jacob Denner with developing a new trademark. According to the Complaint, rather than starting from scratch, Mr. Denner presented Mr. Alexy with a copy of the St. Ignatius Work printed on a hockey puck and suggested developing something similar. Mr. Alexy agreed. Mr. Denner then used the Work as the basis for the new Alexy Metals logo. Around 2021, the company made what it described as "minor changes" to that logo, producing the version it continues to use today. St. Ignatius alleges that both versions are substantially similar to the Work (3).
On February 25, 2026, St. Ignatius filed suit against Alexy Metals for copyright infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. In its Complaint, St. Ignatius alleges that Alexy Metals has been displaying the infringing logo on its website and on promotional items such as shirts, hats, and golf balls since 2019. St. Ignatius also contends that it sent Alexy Metals a cease-and-desist demand but that Alexy Metals refused to comply. The School further argues that the infringement is willful, pointing out that Alexy Metals has continued using the logo even after being made aware of St. Ignatius's registered copyright.
As for relief, St. Ignatius is asking the court for a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop Alexy Metals from using any logo substantially similar to the Work, along with actual damages and any of Alexy Metals' profits attributable to the infringement. Alternatively, the School is seeking statutory damages given the alleged willful nature of the infringement. St. Ignatius also requests an award sufficient to cover the legal fees incurred in bringing this action.
At present, a judge has been assigned to the case, and an answer from Alexy Metals is yet to be filed. We will continue to provide updates as the relevant developments unfold.