The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. In 2009, former Rutgers quarterback, Ryan Hart, filed a lawsuit against Electronic Arts (E.A.) for violation of his right of publicity. Specifically, Hart stated that E.A. misappropriated his likeness for use in the NCAA Football video game in order to enhance the commercial value of the video […]
Category: Intellectual Property
The following article is a guest contribution by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Haynes is a former Division 1 Basketball Player at Oral Roberts University and currently practices law in the State of Florida. Background: Daniel Moore has been a famous sport artist for over 25 years. Most people are familiar with the work he has done for […]
The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Kevin Durant is not having an excellent week. Not only must he deal with a defeat to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, but now a lawsuit accusing him of trademark infringement. Musician Mark Durante is suing Durant, K Durant Enterprises, Nike, and Panini America for the […]
The following article was written by Cyle Kiger. Nike, Inc. (plaintiff) and Reebok International Ltd. (defendant) are involved in a suit over improper use of apparel regarding the polarizing figure, Tim Tebow. Nike, whom Tebow exclusively authorized and licensed to use his name on apparel on March 24th, 2010, is suing Reebok for unfair competition, misappropriation […]
The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Last year Wrestling Globe Newsletter obtained court documents showing that Douglas Somerson filed a complaint against World Wrestling Entertainment along with its’ co-founders Vince and Linda McMahon. Somerson, or “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers as he was known in the cage, filed the lawsuit in Georgia State Court on […]
The following article was written by Cyle Kiger. I first saw an article for Nike’s new product FuelBand during CES in Las Vegas. The band is used to monitor the user’s activity rate while exercising, known as Nike Fuel. Recently, a South Carolina based clothing company called Fuel Clothing sent a cease-and-desist letter warning Nike of […]
The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Michael Jordan filed a lawsuit in China against Qiaodan Sports Company Ltd for copyright infringement. “Qiaodan” means “Jordan” in Mandarin and the former Bulls superstar is widely known in China by this moniker. Jordan contends the company has built a business by using his name without his consent. The company started in the 1980s […]
The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Leaf Trading Cards and its founder Brain Gray are being sued by Panini America for selling products autographed by NBA star Kevin Durant. The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County Court, claims Panini signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Durant in December 2011. The contract grants the trading card […]
The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. A state court complaint has been filed against Hall of Fame goalie Bernie Parent for allegedly walking away from a book deal and stealing the manuscript. Eli Kowalski d/b/a the Sports Challenge Network is claiming he reached an agreement in June 2010 with Parent for exclusive rights over the […]
The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Jeremy Lin is not the only basketball player involved in a trademark dispute. Michael Jordan filed a lawsuit against Jewel Food Stores and Supervalu contending an ad they ran infringed upon his trademark and business interests. The ad was in Sports Illustrated’s commemorative issue that honored Jordan being […]