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WWE Continues To Face Trademark Roadblocks
Multiple WWE trademark filings have been denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The trademarks, which were all submitted last October have yet to be accepted by the USPTO due to various reasons, notably lack of written consent from talent who perform under the names.
HeelByNature.com has obtained documentation issued in mid-February, 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.
The USPTO attached evidence showing the names belong to a living individual and has required written consent.
Dominik Mysterio
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “Dominik Mysterio”, or “Dominik Gutiérrez”, as shown in the attached evidence. However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
Kay Lee Rae
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “Kay Lee Ray” or “Kaleigh Rae”, as shown by the attached evidence. However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
Chelsea Green
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “Chelsea Green.” However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
A-Kid
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “A-Kid” or “Carlos Ruiz”, as shown by the attached evidence. However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
Amale
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “Amale” or “Amale Dib”, as shown by the attached evidence. However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
Amir Jordan
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “Amir Jordan.” However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
Aoife Valkyrie
- The applied-for mark includes the name of the following individual applicant: “Aoife Valkyrie” or “Aoife Cusack”, as shown by the attached evidence. However, this individual did not sign the application and the application does not include a written consent personally signed by this individual.
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. See 15 U.S.C. §1052(c); TMEP §§813.01(a)-(b), 1206.04(a), 1206.05.
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: “Dominik Mysterio identifies _____ {specify actual name}, a living individual whose consent is of record.”
(2) A written consent, personally signed by the named individual, as follows: “I, Dominik Mysterio, consent to the use and registration of my name, Dominik Mysterio, as a trademark and/or service mark with the USPTO.”
Last year, WWE faced similar issues filing trademarks for Drew Gulak, Pete Dunne, Tony Nese, Justus, Malcolm Bivens, Mercedes Martinez, Keith Lee, Raquel González and Mia Yim.
In the cases of Mia Yim, Keith Lee, and Mercedes Martinez, they registered the trademark on her own, outside the company. WWE’s applications for all three trademarks have now been abandoned and would need to be appealed to be reinstated.
If you want more pro-wrestling trademark news, check out our comprehensive coverage here.