The ice has melted for the Bears’ star quarterback.
Caleb Williams’ try to trademark “Iceman” has been refused, in line with USPTO information.
The USPTO sees an excessive amount of similarity and a “probability of confusion” with a 1988 trademark by LaCrosse Footwear, which holds a trademark for “Iceman” for insulated boots and boot liners.
“These marks are similar in look, sound and which means,” the USPTO wrote in its refusal letter. “… Moreover, as a result of they’re similar, these marks are more likely to engender the identical connotation and general business impression when thought of in reference to applicant’s and registrant’s respective items and/or providers.”
Williams utilized for the trademark throughout a number of classes, together with clothes, which allowed the USPTO to do a broad refusal.
The quarterback additionally utilized for emblems for athletic baggage, water bottles, sporting items, an internet site and leisure providers, along with clothes.
“They make the connection between the opposite items in Caleb’s utility, saying that although these are simply insulated boots and Caleb is claiming shirts and hats and pants and all these different issues, that these are associated items,” Josh Gerben, a trademark legal professional with Gerben IP, advised ESPN.
Gerben went on to say that refusal isn’t uncommon, with USPTO information displaying that over 63.5% of first-time trademark candidates are denied.
These, nevertheless, should not all denied on account of conflicts.
Williams can nonetheless enchantment the choice, and Gerben advised ESPN he has a superb case if he does.
“The registration that they’re citing right here is for clearly a really restricted product line. Actually insulated boots,” Gerben mentioned. “Look, it could be tougher for him to get Iceman registered for a model of clothes objects due to that, however there are different issues in his utility that he may presumably nonetheless wind up with a registration right here.”
Williams gave credit score on Jason and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” present to his former teammate DJ Moore for the “Iceman” nickname.
It supposedly comes from a mixture of his cool demeanor throughout massive moments in video games and his celebration the place he imitates being chilly.
