Knicks File Trademarks for ‘Rings’ and ‘Trophies’ After Winning NBA Title
First came the championship.
Then came the trademark filings.
Just days after winning the NBA title, the New York Knicks have filed trademark applications to protect the team’s logos for use on jewelry-related products, including championship rings and trophies.
The applications, filed on June 16th, are the first time the Knicks have sought trademark protection for their logos in connection with jewelry products.
Of course, the timing is notable.
The applications suggest the team is actively reviewing its trademark protection as it prepares to launch various forms of merchandise to celebrate the championship.
Both applications were filed on an “intent-to-use” basis, a common trademark filing strategy used when a company has not yet begun selling products but intends to do so in the future. Such filings allow applicants to secure a nationwide priority date for the trademark as of the filing date while preparations for product launches are underway.
The filings indicate the Knicks anticipate offering a variety of commemorative products, including rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, watch straps, and replica championship trophies bearing team branding.
Why make these trademark filings now?
Professional sports teams generally enjoy broad rights to prevent unauthorized use of their logos on merchandise. However, obtaining trademark registrations in specific product categories can strengthen those rights and help support future licensing and enforcement efforts.
While the Knicks have long held trademark protections for their name and logos across a variety of product categories, such as clothing, toys, and sporting goods, the team’s trademark portfolio has never provided protection for any types of jewelry products.
These filings appear to be a straightforward effort to expand their intellectual property protection as demand for championship merchandise surges following the franchise’s title-winning season.
The move underscores a reality familiar throughout professional sports: winning a championship doesn’t just create memories, it creates a market for memorabilia.
And these trademark filings will help ensure the Knicks can stop any knuckleheads from selling knock-off jewelry products.
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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