Saints, Bucs Battle Over Trademark

The Tampa Bay Bucs filed an opposition against the New Orleans Saints for use a common word used of years in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.

An NFC South battle is brewing off the gridiron between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Bucs that could land the franchises in court over using the trademarked name "KREWE."  New Orleanians and the Gulf Coast region have used the word "KREWE" during Mardi Gras or even referenced social clubs, businesses, and sports organizations for years.  

At SNN, we began using the Saints News Krewe catchphrase on the Saints News Radio Podcast more than ten years ago.  Hence, the Saints could strongly argue that "KREWE" is a regionalized term and has mass appeal in the Gulf Coast region.   

Patent attorney Josh Gerben reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dispute a trademark request submitted by the New Orleans Saints using the word "KREWE" in the filing.  Tampa Bay first filed for "KREWE" as its trademark, and New Orleans hopes to trademark its new cheerleading and dance team as the "Saints Cheer Krewe."  

A trademark battle has begun between two NFL teams.

The Buccaneers have taken legal action to block a trademark filed by the Saints for "SAINTS CHEER KREWE."

Why?

Per filings, the Bucs claim they were the first to use the term KREWE.

A thread 🧵#GoBucs #Saints pic.twitter.com/dd0addsYg2

— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) May 19, 2023

According to Gerben, the Bucs registered the "KREWE" trademark for its loyalty club membership, team promotion, marketing services, clothing, trading cards, posters, calendars, and more!  Legally, the Bucs, as a National Football League team and a professional sports franchise, may have a firm chokehold on the "KREWE" name.  In its Notice of Opposition, the term by the Buccaneers started use on December 6, 2021.  

Also, Tampa Bay claims "KREWE marks in connection with goods and services that are the same or closely related to the services in Applicant's Application, including in relation to entertainment services related to football and football cheerleading and goods and services that are related to football, such as fan loyalty groups, events, clothing, and related merchandise."

As of Friday's report, New Orleans hasn't countered the claim, and Gerben believes the two teams could settle the matter out of court.