The USPTO has denied the trademark application for the NFL's Washington Commanders.

On May 18th, the USPTO issued the denial citing two reasons.

1⃣ An existing trademark for "Commanders' Classic."
2⃣ Pending applications filed by a DC-area man.

A thread 🧵

#HTTC The Washington Commanders' trademark was refused because of an existing registration for:

"Commanders' Classic"

This is the name of a yearly college football game between the Air Force and Army teams.

[2/6]

Luka Doncic and his Mom are in a legal battle for control of his trademarks.

In September, Luka filed to cancel a trademark his Mom owns for "LUKA DONCIC 7."

Last week, his Mom fired back, seeking to dismiss the legal proceeding on technical grounds.

[1/7]
#lukadoncic The legal dispute began last month.

For years, Luka consented to his Mom owning trademark registrations for his name.

However, that arrangement appears to have changed as Luka has filed a "Petition to Cancel" a trademark registration his Mom owns for "Luka Doncic 7."

[2/7]

Well, this is awkward.

The company that owns Shaq's trademarks (Authentic Brands Group) has opposed his son's trademark filing for "SHAQIR O'NEAL."

How on earth did this happen?

#Shaq
#Trademarks

A thread 🧵
[1/8] The Notice of Opposition starts by claiming that Authentic Brands Group ("ABG") holds all the rights in Shaq's name, image and likeness.

This is true.

Shaq did transfer all of these assets to ABG and is a shareholder in the company.

[2/8]

The Ohio State University has successfully registered a trademark for "THE."

The registration was just issued on June 21st by the USPTO.

The application was filed back in August 2019. So why did it take 3 years to get approved?

A thread🧵 The USPTO refused Ohio State's trademark application for the word "THE" on Sept 11, 2019, for two reasons:

1. The trademark was "merely ornamental."

2. The clothing company Marc Jacobs had filed an application for "THE" several months earlier.

tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer…

[2/5]

I'm a trademark attorney who has assisted clients in registering 7,500+ trademarks on 6 continents.

Russia has threatened to "suspend" the trademark and patent rights of foreign companies that are ceasing operations in Russia.

Why is that significant?

A thread.
#UkraineRussia Russian state media is reporting that the Russian government may suspend the trademark and patent rights of companies that are ceasing operations in Russia or in connection with "sanctioned goods."

[2/11]

I have assisted clients in registering 7,000+ trademarks in the US and around the world.

The Washington Football Team has likely filed a trademark application for its new team name.

The question is where.

#WashingtonFootball #WFT #NFL #trademarks

[a thread]
[1/6] There is a treaty called the Paris Convention.

178 countries signed this treaty.

If a company files a trademark in 1 of the 178 countries, it may then file the same mark in any of the other countries WITHIN 6 MONTHS and get the priority date from the original filing.

[2/6]

The Cleveland Indians have been sued over the team’s planned name change to The Cleveland Guardians.

A roller derby team named the Cleveland Guardians filed the lawsuit earlier today.

The lawsuit makes some juicy claims.

[a thread]

#ClevelandGuardians #ClevelandIndians The elbows begin flying immediately in the complaint.

In the second paragraph the roller derby team asserts that two sports teams cannot reside in the same city and have the same name.

[2/8]

There is a trademark battle underway in Kentucky.

The University of Kentucky has opposed a trademark application for "TEAM KENTUCKY" filed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The University claims that it owns the word KENTUCKY when it comes to clothing products.

#Kentucky [2]

You did not see this wrong.

The University of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are engaged in a trademark battle over who owns the trademark for KENTUCKY when it comes to clothing.

A roller derby team filed a trademark application for "Cleveland Guardians" on July 27.

The filing was made 4 days after the @Indians announced the team would be renamed the "Cleveland Guardians."

This is why the filing is significant.

[A thread]
#clevelandguardians [2]

The roller derby's trademark filing for "Cleveland Guardians" was focused on merchandise items.

These items overlap the items claimed in the @Indians' trademark filing for "Cleveland Guardians."

Specifically, class 16 (bumper stickers) and class 25 (clothing).