Dec 27, 2022
The Washington Commanders’ unveiling of their new mascot could lead to a trademark fight with five legendary former players.
The choices are a dog and a hog — the latter was trademarked in July by O-Line Entertainment, an LCC formed by original Hogs Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker. The new mascot is slated to be announced during Sunday’s home game against the Cowboys.
“If they go forward on Sunday and make the hog their mascot and try to trademark it, we are going to be forced into trademark infringement litigation,” O-Line Entertainment attorney Seth Berenzweig told Front Office Sports.
“We’ve made it very clear to them that we believe they’d be infringing on the trademark, and they need to arrange a licensing deal with the players. They have refused to do that.”
Berenzweig threatened legal action in a news release on Monday ahead of the team’s celebration of the Hogs’ 40th anniversary on Sunday.
Source: Front Office Sports