Introducing The Washington COMMANDERS…but What Does This Mean for Their Trademark?
By: Andrea Hence Evans, Esq. of The Law Firm of Andrea Hence Evans, LLC
After a long 18-month suspenseful wait, The Washington Football team announced today, February 2, 2022 the new team name- The Washington COMMANDERS. The public’s perception of the name is hit or miss but ultimately fans say if the name means that they will “command” the field and win games, they’re all for it!
The team narrowed down a list of potential names, including:
· Red Hogs
· Defenders
· Armada
· Presidents
· Brigade
· Commanders
· Red Wolves
· Washington Football Team
Prior to the team announcing the name, I looked at the USPTO database to see if it would provide any clues about the team’s new name. Will the next Washington Commanders’ headline be a trademark dispute.
On August 21, 2021, Washington Redwolves LLC filed two applications for Washington Space Commanders and Washington Wolf Commander for shirts. The applications were filed as intent to use applications which means that the owner intends to use the marks for shirts but has not necessarily used it yet. These pending applications could potentially delay the registration of the Washington Commanders for any apparel.
LST Sports & Entertainment, LLC filed two trademark applications on December 17, 2020 for COMMANDERS’ CLASSIC for entertainment services, namely, organizing, promoting and staging annual intercollegiate football games where the entertainment services are sold in connection with football competitions, between U.S. military academies, none of the foregoing relate to hunting or fishing and for clothing, namely, t-shirts, shirts, caps, shorts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and pants where the clothing is sold in connection with football competitions, between U.S. military academies, none of the foregoing relate to hunting or fishing. Both applications were filed as an intent to use application.
It doesn’t appear that a trademark application has been filed for COMMANDERS or WASHINGTON COMMANDERS but we’ll be watching to see if these pending applications stall the registration of the team’s trademark application! Or, will the team get the owner’s of these pending applications to abandon their applications?