Is a Sports League Name Trademarked?

[tolkein]

I hope this is the correct place to ask. Is a sports league/association name like NBA or MLS trademarked? I'm worried that I may face issues if I register NBA.xx for example.

 

[CrazyTech]

Yes, I'm pretty sure they all are.

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.

 

[andriegel]

here's where you go to search the TM database:

http://www.uspto.gov/

 

[The Equivocate]

They are definately trademarked and any major sports organization WILL go after you if they see fit, and will win.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

They are definately trademarked and any major sports organization WILL go after you if they see fit, and will win.

Mabye, maybe not. It in fact it's a plain old three letter acronym, AND it is used or promoted that in no way does anything close to what the sports leaque does, then you have fair use rights. That doesn't mean you may not have to throw money at keeping it or a wrong decision won't be made as to your rights. Development is really the only way to prove fair intent though.

For example if you had NBA.tld, and developed it for a REAL or legitimatedlly created orgainzation such as Nebraska Bar Association or National Bankers Association, you would probably be win any dispute.

 

[N-Sane]

You cant do it. :red:

 

[IAmAllanShore]

Not to just post a contrary post,

but...

you certainly "can" do it.


Letters do not a TM make :gl:

Now if you were to register nba.__ and point it to an affiliate link of the european basketball league or something, then yes, you'd likely get a nasty little letter

-Allan

 

[tolkein]

That's what I figured - how do you TM a 3-letter acronym?!

The TM issue doesn't come so straightforward to me, especially when I live in Asia - although my websites are hosted in the US. I'm pretty sure NBA was not trademarked in my country

 

[IAmAllanShore]

But that does not give you a free-pass to create any NBA.__ site, also.

It might be best (for you) just to pass on any names that could cause troubles if you're planning on putting any development work into it.

-Allan

 

[Dave_Z]

That's what I figured - how do you TM a 3-letter acronym?!

Like Nike: just do it.

The examining attorney will be the barometer of the trademark application.

The TM issue doesn't come so straightforward to me, especially when I live in Asia - although my websites are hosted in the US. I'm pretty sure NBA was not trademarked in my country

Here's one place to start.

 

[abs636]

I think you can register acronyms like that as long as they are for another organization with the same letters but different name.

 

[linker]

one example...

... would be AHL.com this is some company or something, and right in their logo it says "This is not hockey" the American Hockey League uses theahl.com ...

 

[The Equivocate]

... would be AHL.com this is some company or something, and right in their logo it says "This is not hockey" the American Hockey League uses theahl.com ...

Well that website has been around longer than the AHL.. I said that he would definately run into problems with NBA.xx because he made it sound like he would use it for a basketball related site.

 

[Joe123]

Wasn't there a famous sporting domain name dispute years ago?

If I recall correctly, a Canadian farming group ended up very rich after one of the US sporting leagues paid a huge amount for the domain. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[DJ_Guvana]

Every Major League team would be trademarked, and im pretty sure most other divisions would be. In my opinion stay clear of trade marks, they screw you up, there way to much hassle.

If you purchase a TM team site and the site gains 2 Million visitors because your using there name, they would most likley take it off you and you'd loose everything.

Taheny, im not to sure if that claim is true as im from the uk, but i know if i was to buy a website of a football team and they wanted it, they would most likley win the battle in court as they own the tradmark.

 

[matt247]

what about wwf.com? it went to the world wildlife fund after a big dispute with the world wrestling federation

 

[abs636]

I think the organization existed before the the wrestling company. Imagine going to a wrestling site but ending up at the real WWF's page! They must have gotten so many hits from that...