Houston Comets’ New Logos Revealed in Trademark Filings
The Houston Comets are returning to the WNBA, and newly filed federal trademark applications have offered an early look at the team’s new identity.
The franchise filed eight trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 28, just one day before the team was scheduled to officially unveil its new logos to the public.
The filings reveal several new designs, including a primary logo featuring a large letter ‘H’ with a basketball depicted as a comet streaking across the front.
Two additional designs incorporate the same basketball-and-comet imagery into the team’s name and hometown.
One features the word ‘HOUSTON,’ with a basketball-shaped comet passing through the second ‘O.’ Another features the word ‘COMETS,’ with the comet passing through the ‘O.’
- H Logo | Serial # 50187501
- H Logo | Serial # 50187519
- Circle logo | Serial # 50187225
- Circle logo | Serial # 50187549
- Houston logo | Serial # 50187609
- Houston logo | Serial # 50187634
- Comets logo | Serial # 50187687
- Comets logo | Serial # 50187661
The applications provide an early glimpse of the franchise’s new branding ahead of its official announcement.
Why the Comets Filed Trademarks Before Unveiling the Logos
All eight trademark applications were filed on an “intent-to-use” basis.
Under U.S. trademark law, this allows a company to apply for federal trademark protection before it has actually begun using a trademark commercially.
The process is particularly valuable for professional sports franchises preparing to announce new logos.
By filing applications before publicly revealing its logos, the Comets can ensure no squatters file applications after the announcement and create a legal headache for the team.
At this point, the Comets’ trademark applications will undergo examination by the USPTO. This typically happens 4-5 months after the filing date. During this examination process, the USPTO will look for any similar pre-existing trademarks. If none are found, the applications will get approved for registration.
So there you have it… the Houston Comets are back.
And thanks to their trademark filings, we’re getting a first look at their new logos before the official unveiling.
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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