Major League Baseball teams oppose many trademark applications. Got a “W” or a “C” in your logo? Better be prepared to hear from Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs. Got “Boston” or “Detroit” in your name? You might be hearing from the Red Sox or the Tigers.
For example, the Chicago Cubs recently opposed this logo:
In one recent week, MLB teams filed at least 8 oppositions at the USPTO. See below for details — click TTABvue for the full USPTO records.
Are MLB teams pushing the boundaries of reasonable trademark enforcement? Are they trademark bullies? Are they using their power and money to expand their trademark protection beyond where the law is meant to allow? I think these questions are worthy of discussion. For now, I will leave the answers up to you.
For more filings at the TTAB, including those from MLB, see www.TTABulator.com.
| TTABVue | 91215978 | CFAN DESIGNS, INC. | 85945826 | C/FAN | Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC |
| TTABVue | 91216093 | BROOKLYN ARENA, LLC | 85837679 | BROOKLYNTASTE | Los Angeles Dodgers, LLC |
| TTABVue | 91216090 | CAPTURE MEDIA INC. | 86028767 | C CAPTURE | Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC |
| TTABVue | 91215982 | EBSCO INDUSTRIES, INC. | 85944984 | PAWS N CLAWS | Detroit Tigers, Inc. |
| TTABVue | 91216073 | EDGE ATHLETIC CLUB, INC. | 85313268 | EDGE ATHLETICS | Athletics Investment Group d/b/a The Oakland Athletics Baseball Company |
| TTABVue | 91215980 | GRAND PRIX ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, LLC | 85918689 | ROYAL | Kansas City Royals Baseball Corporation |
| TTABVue | 91215977 | MG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC, MG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. | 85929544 | DUELO DE GIGANTES | San Francisco Baseball Associates LLC |
| TTABVue | 91216104 | UBISOFT ENTERTAINMENT | 85966322 | RAYMAN | Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Ltd. |
