Gaudreau applies for 'Johnny Hockey' trademark

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

If any other player in the league did this, the majority of this board would mock and ridicule it. Odd decision

Probably true but since he's a Flame it's okay in my books.

[GioforPM]

Noses are out of joint on HF.

[Gallick]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Great One may have been too generic to pass a trademark review. Adding 99 makes it more specific. Whereas Johnny Hockey (as a combination of words) is more unique.

Here's the trademark itself for "The Great One 99" - it's expired due to lack of use, but it looks like it was only filed in 2004:

http://www.trademarkia.com/the-great...-78454497.html

[GioforPM]

I understand Gordie TMed "Mr. Hockey" and his wife owns it. Obviously JG is not Howe, but you are better off getting on these things early and avoiding hassle over who was first.

This way he can tell lowlifes selling cheap Johnny Hockey T-Shirts to quit making money off of him. The only problem is that he will have to enforce it, or risk losing exclusivity.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

If any other player in the league did this, the majority of this board would mock and ridicule it.

And you say this based on...?

I can't speak for anyone other then me but I wouldn't mock and ridicule anyone for seeking legal protection from anyone attempting to profit off of their identity without proper renumeration.

[Rollin22x]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

If any other player in the league did this, the majority of this board would mock and ridicule it. Odd decision

nobody mocks Crosby for SC87. Very few have the opportunity to trademark and market something with obvious value.

[Weitz]

Be curious to know if it will get approved. Pretty general word usage.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Parallex

And you say this based on...?

I can't speak for anyone other then me but I wouldn't mock and ridicule anyone for seeking legal protection from anyone attempting to profit off of their identity without proper renumeration.

Kassian did it and the only problem was it was a stupid nickname.

[You Need a Thneed]

I would assume that trademarking nicknames is more common than one might think in the sports world. Otherwise, it could be quite easy for advertizers to get unauthorized and unpaid sponsorship.

With a nickname like "Johnny Hockey", especially so.

[FBI]

Read all those comments about Johnny having a big head?? Obviously they don't know Johnny very well. One of the most humble sounding guys out there.

[Neeper]

This makes a lot of sense, good on him!

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

If any other player in the league did this, the majority of this board would mock and ridicule it. Odd decision

Anyone who does something like this gets kudos from me. Was trademarking "Air Jordan" ridiculous? No problems with players pursuing potential alternate revenue streams that aren't subject to salary caps and escrow. It is a capitalist society we live in.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

You would have to prove that you were using the trademark for a real purpose in order to get a trademark. Plus it costs about 10,000 and takes time to complete. If you had a Hockey stick company called Johnny Hockey you could trademark it. Similar thing for trademarking band names/artist names.

$2,500.00 for Canada, and very little time to complete.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Gallick

Here's the trademark itself for "The Great One 99" - it's expired due to lack of use, but it looks like it was only filed in 2004:

Looks like he also had "The Great One" trademarked in the past, interesting list of things he's had trademarked...

The Great One 99
The Great One
Wayne Gretzky's Iceland
King of Kings
Wayne Gretzky Overtime Hockey
99
Gretzky 99
Wayne Gretzky 99
The Great Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky Hockey

The only one that appears active is Wayne Gretzky Hockey.

[CaptainYooh]

bc-chris is one of the most positive posters on CP.

[bob-loblaw]

It's just smart business and smart marketing and I'm sure it was his agent's decision. Why risk some nefarious guy selling some cheap yet flammable hockey jerseys with 'Johnny Hockey' on them? He'd most likely wind up suing them anyways.

I hope the real reason is because Edmonton fans started calling Vladimir Tkachev 'Vladdy Hockey'. Johnny and his agent said to themselves 'Edmonton is no good' so let's end it now.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Noses are out of joint on HF.

When are they not?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Be curious to know if it will get approved. Pretty general word usage.

I'm certain he will have very little trouble getting it approved. I don't know nearly as much about trademarks as I do copyright, but I'm pretty sure Gaudreau and his agent would have no difficulty demonstrating the fact that he is identified by the brand, and the marketing value of it. Also, can't think of any examples of prior art.

[sureLoss]

Ah yes... I cite Matt Kassian vs Zach Kassian and the legal battle over the trademark Kassassin

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Be curious to know if it will get approved. Pretty general word usage.

You mean like "General Motors," "United Artists," "Standard Oil," or "General Electric"?

I seriously doubt that he will encounter any problems. It is a well established moniker, and one that he very easily can claim exclusive rights to.