MANILA, Philippines -- The Court of Appeals has ruled that a local clothing company breached copyright by using the name of US’ elite Harvard University in a logo for its jeans, according to court papers Tuesday.

The appellate court denied a petition by Fredco Manufacturing Corporation which had insisted the logo "Harvard Jeans" did not infringe the official trademark of Harvard University.

The court said Harvard University was able to prove the company was using the trademark 'Harvard' and its related shield symbol way ahead of Fredco as the school had been established in 1636.

"Respondents are the actual creator of the Harvard name and symbol," the court said.

It added that "such unexplained use by petitioner Fredco of the dominant word 'Harvard' lends itself open to the suspicion of motive to trade upon the reputation of the university."