By Steve McKelvey, J.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst Sport Management Department The revenues to be derived from collegiate licensing, media and sponsorship continue to fuel a “land-grab” mentality in which companies such as IMG College, Learfield, ISP...
By Steve McKelvey, J.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst Sport Management Department The revenues to be derived from collegiate licensing, media and sponsorship continue to fuel a “land-grab” mentality in which companies such as IMG College, Learfield, ISP...
By Daniel Brown and Dante DiPasquale The National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) profits handsomely from the increasingly lucrative collegiate licensing and merchandising market—estimated to be worth $4 billion annually. Yet, current and former NCAA...
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has waded into the world of collegiate athletics by affirming a decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board that rejected the University of South Carolina’s bid to register a logo featuring the initials “SC.”...
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied certiorari in a case involving a basketball manufacturer’s claim of false advertising, brought under § 43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.S. § 1125. The appeal was made the Federal Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals. The opinion...
By David Bennett The licensing of logos and names of collegiate sports teams has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry that now brings in more than $3 billion dollars annually to collegiate programs. Owners of professional teams and universities have...
A federal judge from the District of Kansas has denied a defendant sports apparel manufacturer’s bid for relief from a verdict favoring the University of Kansas in a trademark dispute. The court’s decision was based on its firm belief that plaintiff KU...
By Russell Romriell A district judge in the Southern District of New York has granted a permanent injunction against Smack Apparel Company for breaching a settlement agreement with The Heisman Trophy Trust, and for continuing to infringe the trademarks...
By Russell Romriell A district judge in the Southern District of New York has granted a permanent injunction against Smack Apparel Company for breaching a settlement agreement with The Heisman Trophy Trust, and for continuing to infringe the trademarks...
There is strength in numbers, especially specific ones. Ebonite International, Inc. found that out the hard way this summer when a federal judge invalidated its patent for cost-effectively manufacturing and delivering bowling balls that bowlers could test...
Muscle Flex Inc., which bills itself as a leading-edge fitness, health and lifestyle company, announced earlier this month that it will sue the World Wrestling Entertainment for its alleged unauthorized use of the term “Raw” in Canada. Muscle Flex claimed that...
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has granted a golf equipment manufacturer’s request for a new trial in a patent dispute. The case pitted Acushnet Company, the golf business of Fortune Brands, Inc., which was seeking the new trial,...