WNBA Abandons “WUBBLE” Trademark After Challenge From WUBBLE Ball
Last year, the WNBA filed a trademark application for “WUBBLE.” This was the WNBA’s version of the “Bubble” for the WBNA’s season in 2020.
While the WNBA’s application was approved by the USPTO for registration, in January 2021 and the makers of the WUBBBLE Ball subsequently filed an “extension of time to oppose” the application. This is typically the first step in contesting a trademark application that a company believes might infringe on their rights.
After this extension of time was submitted, the WNBA filed to expressly abandon their WUBBLE application. In all likelihood, this is because the parties agreed to settle any dispute by having the WNBA not seek the WUBBLE trademark registration.
At the end of the day, the WNBA will not own the WUBBLE trademark, and the WUBBLE Ball will continue to be protected.
Josh Gerben, Esq.
Josh Gerben, Esq. is a nationally recognized trademark attorney and the founder of Gerben IP. Since launching the firm in 2008, he has overseen the registration of over 10,000 trademarks and handled over 1,500 trademark disputes. Josh's practice focuses on building and defending global trademark portfolios for clients. These clients include entrepreneurs, private equity-backed businesses, athletes, celebrities, and public companies. Frequently quoted by major media outlets like CNBC, CNN, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Josh is widely regarded as a leading authority in trademark law.
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