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WWE Facing Trademark Roadblocks
Multiple WWE NXT trademark filings have been denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The trademarks, which were all submitted on 8/10 have yet to be accepted by the USPTO due to various reasons, notably lack of written consent from talent who perform under the character names.
HeelByNature.com has obtained documentation submitted on 12/10, revealing the following trademarks will be abandoned in six months, unless WWE provides a signed document from talent, consenting the company can use the name.
- Mercedes Martinez
- Malcolm Bivens
- Raquel González
Because the individual named in the mark did not sign the application and the application did not include a proper written consent, applicant must provide a statement that the name in the mark identifies a particular living individual and a written consent to register the name.
Accordingly, applicant must submit both of the following:
(1) The following statement: “The name shown in the mark identifies a living individual whose consent to register is made of record.” If the name is a pseudonym, stage name, or nickname, applicant must provide the following statement: MERCEDES MARTINEZ identifies Jazmín Benítez, a living individual whose consent is of record.”
(2) A written consent, personally signed by the named individual, as follows: “I, Jazmín Benítez, consent to the use and registration of my name, MERCEDES MARTINEZ, as a trademark and/or service mark with the USPTO.”
WWE has faced an additional roadblock for the Mercedes Martinez filing, as she filed trademark on her own for the character name, registration was finalized on 6/23.
Earlier this year, WWE faced similar issues filing trademarks for Drew Gulak, Pete Dunne, Tony Nese, Justus, and Mia Yim. In the case of Mia Yim, she registered the trademark on her own, outside the company. All these filings are current on hold until proper documentation is filed.
If you want more pro-wrestling trademark news, check out our comprehensive coverage here.
If you use any of the content in this report, please credit United States Patent and Trademark Office with a h/t to HeelByNature.com with a link back to this article.