Ron Washington is the Manager of the Texas Rangers, who are currently in the A.L. Championship Series and one win away from a second straight appearance in the World Series. He is also the owner of several pending USPTO trademark applications. The applications were filed last October following the Ranger’s lost in the World Series.
The applications are for the following [click the TARR link next to each name to see USPTO records]:
Some interesting questions raised by these types of situations:
- Does using a phrase in the scope of a competition give rise to any trademark or service mark rights in connection with the athletic event? With any other products or services?
- Who owns the rights to a phrase first used by fans of a professional sports team?
- Who owns the rights to a phrase first used by players on the field for professional sports team?
- Who owns the rights to a phrase first used in the locker room of a professional sports team?
- If a player or coach is the first to use a phrase, but a business not affiliated with the team is the first to use it as a mark in connection with a product or service, who has superior rights?
