Lights Out: Merriman Lawsuit Against Vermont Teddy Bear Settles

Shawne Merriman, former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, along with his company Lights Out Holdings, has settled a another trademark infringement suit over the usage of his trademark, “Lights Out,” a registered trademark since 2004. The suit alleged that The Vermont Teddy Bear Company used Merriman’s trademark on its product, including teddy bears and pajamas for both adults and children. According to the complaint filed on April 5, 2016, the company “refused to cooperate” through a product name change.

On Thursday, …

April 11, 2016 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Former NFL Linebacker Looks to Put Teddy Bear Company’s “Lights Out” For Trademark Infringement

Shawne Merriman, former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, along with his company Lights Out Holdings, has filed a lawsuit in district court against The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. The suit alleges that the company has used Merriman’s “Lights out” trademark on certain products, including pajamas for adults and children as well as some of its teddy bears.

The complaint, filed in the Southern District of California, alleges trademark infringement, statutory and common law unfair competition, and false endorsement and violation …

February 16, 2016 Litigation / NFL / Trademark

Don’t Wear it Out: Settlement in Lawsuit Against Nike Over the Allegedly Improper Use of the Name “Lights Out”

After nearly two years, a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman against Nike has settled, according to documents filed in California federal court on Thursday, February 11, 2016.

The lawsuit was sparked by Nike’s use of the term “Lights Out” for one of its lines of athletic apparel. Merriman was given the nickname “Lights Out” while in high school, and upon entering college, began selling T-shirts with a “Lights Out” logo to help pay for his schooling.

Prior to the settlement, Merriman …

January 13, 2016 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / Litigation / NFL

It May Be “Lights Out” For Merriman’s Lawsuit Against Nike

On Friday, January 8, 2016, Nike, Inc. filed a motion for summary judgment, seeking to put to end to former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman’s trademark infringement lawsuit.

Merriman filed the suit in April 2014, alleging that he is known as “Lights Out,” and that Nike has infringed on his trademark by selling their “lights out” product line because customers will mistakenly believe Merriman has endorsed it. Merriman stated: “After I was given the nickname “Lights Out” in high school, I decided to create a …

Former San Diego Chargers Wants $18M For “Lights Out” Trademark Infringement

On April 6, Shawne Merriman, former San Diego Chargers linebacker, filed a motion for summary judgment to ask the judge to resolve the trademark infringement dispute that began last year against Nike over “Lights Out” mark.

Claiming the ownership of the mark, Merriman said, “After I was given the nickname ‘Lights Out’ ® in high school, I decided to create a brand while I was at the University of Maryland. From 2002-2005 I sold approximately 2000 t-shirts printed with the Lights Out …