The Washington Soccer Staff’s ask for to trademark its title was refused by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office environment on Friday, in accordance to reports. 

The business office said trademarks presented for the “Washington Soccer Club” to a gentleman named Philip McCauley in 2015 could cause confusion between buyers, in accordance to Athletics Illustrated. In addition, the business claimed the name is problematically generic. 

“Customers would be puzzled, mistaken, or deceived as to the professional source of the goods and/or expert services of the events,” the patent business said Friday of its refusal, SI documented. 

The NFL staff 1st applied for the trademark in July 2020 immediately after determining to clear away “Redskins” from its identify, which many considered offensive. The team’s company sponsors were being stated to be making use of stress for the transfer. 

The crew, which programs to use the “Football Crew” identify right until another is selected, could also possibly acquire McCauley out, The Washington Publish described.

Washington Football Team restricted finish Ricky Seals-Jones catches a pass throughout an NFL football exercise at Inova Sports Overall performance Heart in Ashburn, Va., Thursday, June 10, 2021. (Related Push)

“As we have explained to the workforce in the earlier, Mr. McCaulay is keen to focus on assigning his valuable registration,” McCaulay’s lawyer explained to the newspaper. 

WASHINGTON Football Workforce 2021 Program: OPPONENTS, DATES, Moments & Additional

There are also two pending filings for the “Washington Group Footballers,” SI reported. 

The title and logo can continue to be utilized on jerseys and uniforms with no the trademark but the crew will not be in a position to quickly stop knockoff gross sales, The Post noted. 

The staff has 6 months to react to the trademark refusal and to do well will have to be equipped to demonstrate that the identify is unique on its possess from other similar names, trademark expert Jamie Vining told The Post. 

The team may well also run into problems when seeking for a new name to trademark in the long run. 

A actual estate agent in Alexandria, Virginia, reportedly retains the trademarks for the Washington Red Wolves, Washington Tribe, Washington RedTails, Washington Monuments, Washington Veterans, Washington Renegades Gridiron Football, Washington Braves Expert Soccer Crew, Washington Liberty Fighters, Washington War Hogs, Washington Radskins, Washington Red-Tailed Hawks and Washington Potomacs.

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The Washington Generals is a trademarked identify owned by the Harlem Globetrotters’ parent business, in accordance to the Motion Community.