[ by Kavita Krishnan ]Game Plan Inc., a Maryland based non-profit organization focused on youth development, filed a lawsuit against LeBron James’ UNINTERRUPTED media company for use of the slogan “More Than an Athlete” claiming that they have already trademarked that slogan.According to Game Plan, the phrase “I am more than an athlete” is trademarked by the organization, and...
Game Plan Inc., a Maryland based non-profit organization focused on youth development, filed a lawsuit against LeBron James’ UNINTERRUPTED media company for use of the slogan “More Than an Athlete” claiming that they have already trademarked that slogan.
According to Game Plan, the phrase “I am more than an athlete” is trademarked by the organization, and claims that James’ company generates revenue based on that phrase. Game Plan alleges that it has been using the slogan “More Than An Athlete” since 2016, and got a trademark for the phrase in 2018. The suit seeks at least $33 million in damages.
The youth organization was wearing t-shirts with the slogan displayed on the t-shirts during a 2017 game between the Washington Wizards and James’ team at the time, the Cleveland Cavaliers. James allegedly took the slogan for his own use after seeing the members wearing the t-shirts. The complaint alleges that although he didn’t play the match, he was in attendance.
Nike, Disney and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. were also named as defendants in the complaint.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.