NFL Washington Commanders To Get A New Name After Trademark Application Denied?

The Washington Commanders have recently gone through a lot of change. Since 2020, the team has undergone two name changes before deciding on their current moniker ahead of the 2022 NFL season.

There is only one issue: The team does not have a trademark for the name “Washington Commanders.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) refused Washington’s application to trademark the term on May 18.

NFL Washington Commanders To Get A New Name After Trademark Application Denied?

The Washington Football Team changed their name to the Washington Commanders on February 2, 2022.

The Commanders may be undergoing another name change now, more than a year later.

Washington’s trademark registration for the name “Commanders” was rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Attorney Josh Gerben first reported on Twitter on Wednesday.

The letter sent to the team said that the application was denied for two reasons; 1. The “Commanders’ Classic,” which is the annual football game between Army and Air Force. 2. Previous trademarks for the Washington Space Commanders and Washington Wolf Commanders were made by a man named Martin McCaulay, who lives in DC.

Depending on how the team wishes to react, the consequences might be small or severe. them is possible for them to continue using the name and to sell items, but it could be more challenging for them to prevent other vendors from supplying products with the “Washington Commanders” name on them.

Another name change is an option for the team, but it seems drastic. Even with a new owner presumably coming over, the team is not required to make this move under the ruling, and it is unlikely that they want to go through the process a third time in three years.

The group may potentially challenge the USPTO’s decision. It seems most likely that will happen.

 

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