Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot

SmashMouth · 03-01-2022, 05:21 AM

The USFL will return in April. Unless it doesn’t.

The owners and executives of the original USFL have sued to block Fox from launching a league that uses the brand and team names of the spring league that was founded in 1983.

In a complaint filed Monday in a California federal court, an entity known as “The Real USFL, LLC” seeks an order preventing Fox from using the USFL name and the names and logos of any of the 18 teams that played in the original USFL.

The plaintiff alleges that Fox’s USFL “is an unabashed counterfeit,” and that Fox has taken the league’s name, eight team names, and eight team logos “to which it has no right.”

“It has traded on the false narrative that Fox’s League and USFL teams are the offspring of the original,” the complaint contends at paragraph 4. “They are not.”

The original USFL raised its concerns publicly last year, after Fox announced plans to bring back the USFL. Negotiations occurred, but Fox allegedly made it clear that it “had no intention of discussing the matter further.” Eventually, Fox claimed that the USFL had been defunct for more than 30 years, and that it had abandoned its trademarks.

stickman · 03-02-2022, 01:51 PM

Find it hard to believe Fox's lawyers didn't sign off on this before they announced it. But, money does crazy things to people.

Rugby Saint II · 03-02-2022, 02:22 PM

If the NFL loses this law suit then someone will lose their job like the guy who signed the Mercedes Benz contract in New Orleans. He was gone the next day I believe. Anyway, Mercedes Benz deserves all the publicity it can get in Atlanta. Both of their fans are still excited. Lol

vpheughan · 03-02-2022, 03:01 PM

It'd be great to see the original USFL win against the New USFL and be awarded another $1.00 in damages.

SmashMouth · 03-03-2022, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by vpheughan

It'd be great to see the original USFL win against the New USFL and be awarded another $1.00 in damages.

TheOak · 03-04-2022, 08:19 AM

United States Football League is hardly an original thought and it is more of a description than a name.. Best lawyers win.

As far as for using the teams names, well if the USFL did not maintain its trade marks and use them then they are fair game. Abandoned trademarks that are not in use may become fair play. Will be interesting to see who can prove what.

Sounds like someone trying to gain a buck on a lost investment. Sour grapes.

03-01-2022, 05:21 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,200 Blog Entries: 29	Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot The USFL will return in April. Unless it doesn’t. The owners and executives of the original USFL have sued to block Fox from launching a league that uses the brand and team names of the spring league that was founded in 1983. In a complaint filed Monday in a California federal court, an entity known as “The Real USFL, LLC” seeks an order preventing Fox from using the USFL name and the names and logos of any of the 18 teams that played in the original USFL. The plaintiff alleges that Fox’s USFL “is an unabashed counterfeit,” and that Fox has taken the league’s name, eight team names, and eight team logos “to which it has no right.” “It has traded on the false narrative that Fox’s League and USFL teams are the offspring of the original,” the complaint contends at paragraph 4. “They are not.” The original USFL raised its concerns publicly last year, after Fox announced plans to bring back the USFL. Negotiations occurred, but Fox allegedly made it clear that it “had no intention of discussing the matter further.” Eventually, Fox claimed that the USFL had been defunct for more than 30 years, and that it had abandoned its trademarks.

03-02-2022, 01:51 PM	#2
stickman 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Gonzales, LA Posts: 1,687	Re: Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot Find it hard to believe Fox's lawyers didn't sign off on this before they announced it. But, money does crazy things to people. SmashMouth and Boston Saint like this.

03-02-2022, 02:22 PM	#3
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot If the NFL loses this law suit then someone will lose their job like the guy who signed the Mercedes Benz contract in New Orleans. He was gone the next day I believe. Anyway, Mercedes Benz deserves all the publicity it can get in Atlanta. Both of their fans are still excited. Lol jnormand and SmashMouth like this.

03-02-2022, 03:01 PM	#4
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,524	Re: Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot It'd be great to see the original USFL win against the New USFL and be awarded another $1.00 in damages. Boston Saint likes this.
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,524

03-03-2022, 08:02 AM	#5
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,200 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot Originally Posted by vpheughan It'd be great to see the original USFL win against the New USFL and be awarded another $1.00 in damages.

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03-04-2022, 08:19 AM	#6
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,027	Re: Original USFL sues Fox over USFL reboot United States Football League is hardly an original thought and it is more of a description than a name.. Best lawyers win. As far as for using the teams names, well if the USFL did not maintain its trade marks and use them then they are fair game. Abandoned trademarks that are not in use may become fair play. Will be interesting to see who can prove what. Sounds like someone trying to gain a buck on a lost investment. Sour grapes. SmashMouth and jlouhill like this.