Did Spurs great George Gervin get a boost in his bid to trademark 'Iceman'?
Spurs great George Gervin's bid to trademark the nickname "Iceman" may have gotten an unexpected boost.
A representative for the Hall of Famer said that a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office decision refusing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' application to trademark "Iceman" bolsters Gervin's own case to claim the iconic moniker.
"If anything, it strengthens our situation," said Jerald Barisano, CEO and president of Gervin Global Management, a sports and entertainment management, marketing and media company that Gervin chairs.
A trademark office examining attorney concluded Wednesday that Williams' proposed Iceman mark is identical to an existing federal trademark for Iceman insulated boots owned by Oregon-based LaCrosse Footwear. Because Williams also wants to use the mark on clothing and related merchandise, consumers could mistakenly believe the products come from the same source.
A "likelihood of confusion exists" between the two, the examining attorney concluded.
Unlike Williams, Gervin has been known as the Iceman for decades, Barisano said. Shirts and posters have been sold for decades bearing Gervin's nickname, he said.
"The company in Oregon has used it for a while," Barisano added, referring to LaCrosse's 1988 trademark registration. "They've been using it on boots. George is not looking to sell boots."
Gervin, who played from 1973 to 1985, earned his nickname for his cool composure and seemingly effortless jump shots, layups and finger rolls.
He filed to trademark his legendary nickname in March - four days after Williams moved to claim it for himself. Williams, the first pick in the NFL draft in 2024, was given the nickname last season for having ice in his veins late in games, the Chicago Sun-Times has reported.
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Gervin filed applications for both "Iceman" and "Iceman 44" - a homage to his jersey number. The application for Iceman states he first began using the nickname in 1980, though his association with it actually began in the 1970s. Williams wasn't born until 2001.
He wants to register the monikers for sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, shoes and socks, as well as entertainment services, including personal appearances and basketball camps. The trademark office has yet to issue a decision on the applications.
Gervin's Iceman application was not mentioned in the trademark office's action on Williams' application. Williams has three months to respond to the office action or request an extension before his application is abandoned.
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