Editors’ observe, Feb. 21, 12:35 p.m. ET: The headline on this text has been revised to consult with a trademark somewhat than a copyright.
The NIL period of school sports activities continues to be younger—three years outdated this July, to be exact—however LSU ahead Angel Reese already has confirmed to be one in every of its greatest beneficiaries.
After transferring from Maryland to play for the Tigers earlier than the 2022-23 season, Reese’s superstar exploded when she led LSU to the nationwide championship. A double-double within the title recreation towards Iowa in entrance of a file tv viewers raised her inventory, and profitable NIL offers with Reebok and different corporations adopted.
Nevertheless, Reese’s unstoppable NIL practice appears to have hit a short lived snag within the type of trademark legislation.
Reese and her representatives is not going to attraction a U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace determination to disclaim the star a trademark of her “Bayou Barbie” nickname, legal professional Darren Heitner advised On3 Wednesday morning.
Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports activities
“We mentioned internally and decided that it was in Angel’s greatest curiosity to not unnecessarily instigate Mattel,” Heitner advised On3’s Pete Nakos. “Whereas initially it appeared worthy to acquire the registration, Angel has pivoted away from promoting Bayou Barbie merchandise. As such, the suitable enterprise determination was made to easily let the applying abandon.”
Per Nakos, the USPTO denied Reese’s preliminary copyright declare in November as a consequence of potential confusion with the Mattel-owned Barbie toy.
Reese is averaging 19.2 factors and 12.5 rebounds per recreation this season for a 22-4 Tigers crew ranked No. 13 within the nation.