Planning a World Cup Watch Party at a Bar? The ‘FIFA Police’ Are Lurking; The New York Times, May 2, 2026

Vjosa Isai, The New York Times; Planning a World Cup Watch Party at a Bar? The ‘FIFA Police’ Are Lurking

Some businesses advertising watch parties in Canada’s two host cities are wary of running afoul of FIFA’s trademark, which protects advertising “World Cup” events.

"Sports teams and athletic organizations, such as FIFA, the International Olympic Committee and others, are aggressive about protecting their intellectual property because their names, logos and brands are considered commercial assets."

St. Louis Cardinals fighting Hamilton Cardinals attempt to trademark baseball team name and design in Canada; CBC News, April 22, 2026

Justin Chandler , CBC News; St. Louis Cardinals fighting Hamilton Cardinals attempt to trademark baseball team name and design in Canada

"The Hamilton Cardinals baseball team is facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals, but not in a ballpark.

The MLB team from St. Louis, Mo., is opposing a trademark application the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) team filed before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in 2023.

Hamilton team owner Eric Spearin described the MLB team's opposition as “just a big shock.” The teams play in different leagues, he said, and "our logo looks nothing like theirs.""

Church of Jesus Christ files trademark complaint against podcaster for alleged imitation of brands; DeseretNews, April 19, 2026

Tad Walch, DeseretNews; Church of Jesus Christ files trademark complaint against podcaster for alleged imitation of brands

"A trademark dispute is headed to the courts after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and podcaster John Dehlin failed to reach a solution after five months of negotiations.

The church and its intellectual property entity, Intellectual Reserve Inc., filed a trademark and copyright complaint in federal court Friday that names Dehlin and his Open Stories Foundation.

The lawsuit claims Dehlin willfully and knowingly created confusion by using logos and marks similar to the church’s and by using copyrighted church photographs. 

Dehlin is the founder and host of the podcast “Mormon Stories.” He was excommunicated from the church in 2015."

Grambling State Secures Trademark for its "G" Logo After Almost 30 Years; Ebony Magazine, April 7, 2026

STARR ROCQUE , Ebony Magazine; Grambling State Secures Trademark for its "G" Logo After Almost 30 Years

"Grambling State University secured a major win in court this month. The HBCU secured its iconic “G” logo under a US trademark. The historic logo has represented the school’s athletic excellence and pride since the 1970s. However, the process of securing the trademark, led by the Division of Administration and Business Affairs and counsel Kean Miller, had been ongoing since 1998. 

This new milestone follows a coordinated effort to address prior court refusals to grant the trademark while considering other nationally recognized “G” marks, such as those associated with the University of Georgia and the Green Bay Packers."

Buc-ee's sues yet another convenience store over logo similarities; USA TODAY, February 25, 2026

Greta Cross , USA TODAY; Buc-ee's sues yet another convenience store over logo similarities

"Buc-ee's filed a lawsuit against Coles IP Holdings, LLC, which owns the Ohio convenience store and gas station chain Mickey Mart, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on Feb. 18. Buc-ee's is suing for trademark infringement and unfair competition. Buc-ee's is also trying to cancel Coles IP Holdings' trademark registrations, a process that began in August 2025, according to court documents.

With about 42 Ohio locations, according to its website, Mickey Mart features a smiling cartoon moose within a red hexagon as its logo. Buc-ee's argues, in court documents, that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle. Both animals are facing right and display wide eyes and a smile, Buc-ee's says in court documents...

Historically, Buc-ee's has been eager to jump on convenience stores that feature a gleeful animal mascot, claiming the similarities may cause confusion for consumers who may think Buc-ee's is associated with the smaller, often local or regional chains. Here's a look at some of the businesses Buc-ee's has sued over the years:..."

Starbucks just sued this weed business for copying its logo; Fast Company, July 2, 2024

 GRACE SNELLING, Fast Company; Starbucks just sued this weed business for copying its logo

"On the outside of its repurposed food truck, the NYC-based mobile marijuana retailer Starbuds Flowers features a logo that’s hard to miss. The familiar graphic shows a woman with a pointy crown and long wavy hair descending over her chest, surrounded by a green ring that contains the business name. In her right hand, the woman is puffing on what appears to be a lit blunt, while marijuana leaves frame the whole composition. The logo is clearly a parody of Starbucks’ Siren mascot—but the coffee giant isn’t laughing. 

On June 28, Starbucks filed a copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit against Starbuds in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York."

Apple is trying to trademark depictions of actual apples; Mashable, June 19, 2023

 Cecily Mauran, Mashable; Apple is trying to trademark depictions of actual apples

"The ripple effects of Apple winning its legal battle would extend far beyond the tech world. The Fruit Union Suisse, a 111-year-old organisation, has a logo featuring a red apple with a white Swiss cross superimposed on it. But now the association could find itself in the position of having to change its logo because the FUS says Apple wants IP rights to all depictions of apples in general — not just the apple with the bite in it like Apple's iconic logo.

"We have a hard time understanding this, because it’s not like they’re trying to protect their bitten apple," Jimmy Mariethoz, director of FUS, said to Wired. "Their objective here is really to own the rights to an actual apple, which, for us, is something that is really almost universal … that should be free for everyone to use.""

How to Crush an Outlaw Biker Club: Seize Its … Logo?; The New York Times, November 21, 2018

Serge F. Kovaleski, The New York Times; How to Crush an Outlaw Biker Club: Seize Its … Logo?

"The Mongols’ marks, like those of other biker groups, are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Clubs have aggressively protected their patches from unauthorized use.

The Hells Angels have gone after large corporations including Toys “R” Us, the Alexander McQueen fashion line, Amazon, Saks, and Walt Disney, accusing them of infringement on its death’s head logo — a skull in a winged helmet — and other club symbols.

They have usually been successful, reaching settlements that require defendants to cease using the trademarks and to recall and destroy merchandise, among other concessions."

Super Bowl Legal Blitz: Inside The NFL's Legendary Trademark Defense; Forbes, January 30, 2018

Michelle Fabio, Forbes; Super Bowl Legal Blitz: Inside The NFL's Legendary Trademark Defense

"A trademark is a "word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services." Generally, courts use a "likelihood of confusion" test to determine whether trademark infringement has occurred, i.e., whether a consumer is likely to be confused as to the source of the goods or services by the allegedly infringing usage.

Legally speaking, defending a mark is an important aspect of being a trademark owner. Besides the potential weakening and loss of distinctiveness ("dilution" in trademark speak), the failure to enforce a trademark could even lead to the forfeiture of some of the available remedies for infringement.

For this reason, multimillion-dollar companies hire professional watch services to monitor trademark use and possible infringement. And with the NFL, nothing seems to escape its notice—or legal wrath—which goes far beyond just counterfeiters.

In 2007, the NFL sent a warning letter to an Indianapolis church that had advertised a “Super Bowl” party and planned to charge admission for a viewing on a screen larger than 55-inches. The league has since loosened its policies regarding gatherings—the word “Super Bowl” and team names can be used—but still no admission fees are allowed. For churches, the event must be held in the usual place of worship as opposed to a rented space.

Notably, the logos of the NFL, the Super Bowl and the participating teams may not be used, which has led to rather hilarious if legally sound results. Take, for example, this promotional image by a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania arts campus, which features clip art, "Birds" and "Big Game," instead of official NFL logos, "Philadelphia Eagles" and "Super Bowl"..."