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GCW Owner Responds To WWE Trademarking ‘The Collective’
Game Changer Wrestling is not worried about WWE filing trademark for the term ‘The Collective’.
The independent promotion, which has been producing events under “The Collective” banner for several years believes they will have no issued continuing to use the name.
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Fightful Select (subscription required) reached out to GCW owner Brett Lauderdale for comment, which he replied “everything will be ok”.
Lauderdale later took to Twitter, to post the same statement.
Everything is gonna be ok 🙌
— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) December 19, 2020
Trademark attorney Michael E. Dockins commented on the situation on Twitter, stating “Sure. I’m up for hanging another L on the fed”.
Dockins also believes WWE is not allowed to use the name, unless they can show they have used the name prior to Game Changer Wrestling.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a) they have no idea GCW owns the mark since if it isnt wwe it doesnt matter and b) they do not a proper clearance search before filing (there can be strategic reasons not to)
Not at all. Unless wwe can show they predate GCW, which the network suggests they cannot, then they will lose.
— "Gimmick Attorney®" Mike Dockins (@gimmickattorney) December 19, 2020
I wouldn’t be surprised if a) they have no idea GCW owns the mark since if it isnt wwe it doesnt matter and b) they do not a proper clearance search before filing (there can be strategic reasons not to)
— "Gimmick Attorney®" Mike Dockins (@gimmickattorney) December 19, 2020
WWE filed trademark for the name on 12/15, specifically for use in entertainment services, namely for a professional wrestler. It’s unknown how WWE plans to use the name, but it’s likely for a stable or a tag team.