Not only are the Seattle Seahawks on their way to quickly becoming a powerhouse and a potential dynasty, but they’re also on the fast track to becoming one of the most hated teams in the league. First, it was Russell Wilson blaming those four interceptions on God. Now? Well, the Seahawks are quietly engaged in a pretty heavy #BrandWar (hashtag added for effect).
Mike Baker at The Seattle Times is reporting that Seahawks are trying to trademark the following words, phrases, and numbers:
Go Hawks
12
Boom
Yup. The Seahawks want to trademark a number and a word eighth graders use when they blow up their friends in Halo (TM).
From Baker’s article (which you should definitely read):
Scott Andresen, a sports entertainment attorney in Chicago, said the Seahawks’ pursuit of so many different trademarks contrasts with conduct by other teams, even those with a national brand such as the Dallas Cowboys.
“They’ve always been a little aggressive about securing intellectual property for themselves,” said Andresen, who has worked with other professional franchises. “They’ve really taken the position that the more intellectual property, the better.”
Just in the past few months, the Seahawks have petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a chance to oppose a film company’s application to trademark a geographical name featured in the blockbuster “Hunger Games” books and movies: “District 12.”
Here’s a better Pro Bowl idea: how about the Seahawks play against Katniss?
Then there’s the case of former Seahawks kicker Norm Johnson and his son. The son, Jordan, said he came up with the idea of a “12 Nation” brand to represent fans in the area, so he worked with his father to file a trademark request.
In October, Seahawks lawyers filed formal opposition to the idea. Jordan Johnson, 26, said he didn’t expect the team to challenge his idea and he doesn’t have the resources to take on the Seahawks legal team, so he’s abandoning the effort.
“It just seems like they are trying to bully a lot of entrepreneurs,” Johnson said.
Norm Johnson, who played nine seasons with the Seahawks through 1990, said he’s been surprised by the lengths the team has gone to control a simple number.
Seahawks officials declined to comment for this story
Moral of the story: The Seahawks suck, but will probably win their second straight Super Bowl. Let’s just hope they lose their #BrandWar.
Oh, and you should read Baker’s article, it’s long and in-depth and it’s really good. It’s linked below.
