January 15, 2020 Baseball / Celebrities / Intellectual Property / Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / MLB / Trademark

MLB’s Shane Bieber Faces Surprising Opposition to “Not Justin” Trademark

Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber is facing opposition to his attempt to register “Not Justin” as a trademark, though it’s not coming from pop star, Justin Bieber.

In August 2019, Shane Bieber applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to register “Not Justin” as a trademark. He wore a special jersey with the phrase on it, humorously referencing his uncommon last name that he shares with the pop star. Shane Bieber plans to use the phrase in standard character on various types of …

June 13, 2018 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Indians Pitcher Claims IP Infringement Against Louisiana Baseball Training Program

On June 4, 2018, Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer commenced a lawsuit against a Louisiana-based baseball training program, claiming that it misappropriated his name, identity, likeness, and other interests protected under intellectual property laws. Bauer contends that the program, Top Velocity, LLC, had used his persona on its website and across its various social media accounts for its own commercial gain, leading the public to believe that Bauer and Top Velocity were associated.

Bauer’s complaint asserts a total of 21 causes of action, including …

June 27, 2017 MLB

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Does Not Strike Out Cleveland Indians’ Logo Complaint

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario will go ahead and hear the complaint against the Cleveland Indians over their controversial team name and logo, Chief Wahoo. Tribunal Adjudicator Jo-Anne Pickel will not defer the case brought by Douglas Cardinal in October 2016. The case is also progressing through the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). Pickel will not defer to the CHRC since the Tribunal is further along in the process. The advanced stage of the litigation in the Tribunal would make it inappropriate for Pickel …

June 9, 2017 MLB

Put on Your Rally Caps: Cleveland Indians Complaint Still Alive in Ontario

Last October, Indigenous activist and architect, Douglas Cardinal, filed a complaint with Ontario’s human rights tribunal, which sought to bar the Cleveland Indians from being able to use their name or wear specific logos at Major League Baseball games played in Toronto. Cardinal alleged the team name and logo of “Chief Wahoo” — a grinning cartoon man with red skin and a feather in his headband — violated both provincial and national human rights legislation. Despite the MLB’s insistence to do so, tribunal adjudicator, Jo-Anne …

October 18, 2016 MLB

Canadian Court Dismisses Application to Bar Cleveland Indians From Wearing Uniforms with Name and Logo During Playoffs in Toronto

Just before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, indigenous activist Douglas Cardinal filed a legal challenge in Ontario Superior Court to prevent the Cleveland Indians from wearing uniforms bearing their team name and “Chief Wahoo” logo. The logo is a red-faced cartoon with a feather headband and a huge grin. Cardinal argued that the team name and logo are racist and violate Ontario’s human rights code. He contended that the team should be referred to as “the Cleveland team” and should play in …

April 17, 2016 General

Cleveland Indians Oppose Lessening of Protection for AM Stations by FCC

When FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai released a statement discussing the new rules for AM broadcasters, it was framed in such a way as to make it sound like a positive development for AM radio. It discussed short-term relief for AM broadcasters and additional opportunities to acquire FM translators, and explained that AM radio mattered and a new chapter in AM revitalization was being opened.

The Cleveland Indians, however, are of a different view when it comes to the proposed rules. In a March 21, 2016 …

April 13, 2016 MLB

Is This the End for the Cleveland Indian’s Chief Wahoo?

Chief Wahoo, an iconic American Indian caricature, has been the face and logo of the Cleveland Indians pro baseball team since 1947. While he appears to have aged well over the past 69 years, this may be his most challenging year yet.

Chief Wahoo is no stranger to criticism. American Indian groups have been protesting his presence for about 20 years, saying his image is racist and offensive. In an effort to appease protestors, the Cleveland Indians officially made the block letter “C” …

June 29, 2014 MLB

Cleveland Indians Logo Under Attack

The Native American advocacy group, “People Not Mascots,” is threatening the Cleveland Indians with a lawsuit for $9 billion in damages. The group claims that the Cleveland Indians’ logo, Chief Wahoo, is offensive and racist.

According to the group’s leader, Robert Roche, a Chiricahua Apache, the substantial amount of damages is based “on a hundred years of disparity, racism, exploitation, and profiteering.” Roche further stated the logo has “been offensive since day one. We are not mascots. My children are not mascots. We are people.”…