Cody Abandons Trademarks After WWE Opposition

Cody Abandons Trademarks After WWE Opposition

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Executive Vice President and current TNT Champion Cody has abandoned multiple trademarks after opposition from WWE.

As reported by Heel By Nature, Cody has abandoned filings for “Slamboree” and “The Match Beyond”.

He originally filed for them on November 19 last year, but WWE opposed with the following on September 24 this year:

Throughout 1987, World Championship Wresting’s (“WCW”) predecessor, NWA, presented live and televised wrestling events under the name “WarGames: The Match Beyond.” “The Match Beyond” name signified a unique wrestling match exclusively presented by NWA and WCW that consisted of two wrestling rings both enclosed by a steel cage. See https://www.wwe.com/classics/complete-history-wargames. From 1987 through 2000, WCW – 4 – 307858575 v1 put on wrestling events that included The Match Beyond format. In conjunction with these uses, WCW owned common law trademark rights in the name “The Match Beyond.” (“WWE’s The Match Beyond Mark”)

In 2001, WWE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with WCW and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (“TBS”) for the purchase of certain WCW assets. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, WWE acquired rights to, among other things, “[a]ny and all intellectual property owned by [WCW] including without limitation . . . program and pay-per-view names, the entire WCW library of footage, . . . trademarks, [and] service marks . . . together with the goodwill of [WCW] associated with such intellectual property.” 13. Through the Asset Purchase Agreement, WWE acquired the rights to the WWE SLAMBOREE Marks

Cody had until October 31 (today) to respond. On October 28, his attorney Michael E. Dockins filed an express abandonment which means WWE can retain ownership.

What are your thoughts on the above story? Let us know in the comments on Twitter or Facebook.

3 years ago by Liam Winnard

Trending

Get the latest wrestling news straight to your inbox

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from WrestleTalk