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Following his loss at Wrestlemania 36, Brock Lesnar’s WWE contract expired, and he has yet to sign a new deal.
Last month, The United States Patent and Trademark Office canceled a trademark for the name Brock Lesnar after WWE failed comply with a documentation request HeelByNature.com has confirmed.
On 1/9, WWE filed an application for the name Brock Lesnar, used for entertainment services by a professional wrestler. The USPTO denied WWE’s request on 3/12, citing WWE needed to provide written consent from Brock Lesnar to move forward with the application. Additionally, the USPTO office had issues with certain verbiage WWE used in filing.
WWE had six months provide written consent from Brock Lesnar, which they did not provide. On 9/15, WWE’s filing was abandoned, and correspondence was sent to the company to confirm the status on 10/2.
To register a mark that consists of or comprises the name of a particular living individual, including a first name, pseudonym, stage name, or nickname, an applicant must provide a written consent personally signed by the named individual.
Accordingly, if the name in the mark does not identify a particular living individual, applicant must submit a statement to that effect (e.g., “The name shown in the mark does not identify a particular living individual.”).
The company had similar issues in 2016, which is the reason why a new application was filed in 2020.
WWE can attempt to appeal the decision, but must provide reasoning behind the delay, plus consent from Brock Lesnar to move forward with the application. WWE has until 12/2 to file an appeal.
- A signed statement by someone with firsthand knowledge of the facts, stating that the delay in responding by the due date was unintentional;
- A complete response to the Office action if the Office action was received, or, if the Office action was not received, a clear statement of this fact; and
- A petition fee.
Brock Lesnar had two contracts with WWE, one as an in-ring talent, and another for merchandise, both have expired. WWE has since pulled all Brock Lesnar merchandise from the WWE Shop.
Earlier this week, an employee at a restaurant in Medicine Hat, AB took a photo with Lesnar, who is sporting a new look.
Want the latest pro-wrestling trademark news? Check out our extensive coverage here.
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