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New Hockey Team's Trademark Dispute Nothing New
What happens in Vegas does not necessarily stay in Vegas. Sometimes it has repercussions in other places, like upstate New York. Such was the recent ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that denied registration of the trademarks “Las Vegas Golden Knights” and “Vegas Golden Knights” to the newest National Hockey League franchise, due to their similarity to Golden Knights of the College of Saint Rose, a mark owned by a small college in Albany, NY.
The Vegas Golden Knights, set to begin NHL play later this year, sought registration of its marks for clothing and “entertainment services, namely professional ice hockey exhibitions.” In November 2016, the team unveiled its nickname and logo depicting a knight's helmet. Demand for team merchandise was strong and the club expected sales to grow heading into its debut season.
The USPTO's refusal of the trademark applications, however, threatened to undermine the team's marketing momentum. Despite assurances from both the league and franchise that they did not intend to change the team's name, several hurdles must be overcome before the club can obtain its desired marks. Specifically, the NHL team must convince the USPTO's examining attorney that its marks will not cause a likelihood of confusion with the school and its merchandise. The team's response is due on June 7, 2017.
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