The NCAA filed a federal lawsuit seeking an emergency restraining order to prevent DraftKings from using its registered trademarks related to the men's and women's basketball tournaments. The complaint alleges trademark infringement, citing the use of terms like 'March Madness' and 'Final Four' in DraftKings' sports betting products and marketing.
The NCAA filed a complaint in federal court Friday seeking an emergency restraining order to stop online sportsbook DraftKings from using registered trademarks associated with the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament s.
The complaint for trademark infringement was filed in the Southern District of Indiana and requests that DraftKings stop using terms including “March Madness,” “Final Four,” “Elite Eight” and “Sweet Sixteen' or variations of them in sports betting products, promotional campaigns or marketing.The NCAA said in the complaint its trademarks are used to identify, brand, advertise and distinguish the tournaments across broadcast media, digital platforms, merchandise, sponsorships and licensed commercial activities.RELATED STORY | 14,000 perfect brackets survive first day of NCAA tournament“On the eve of the Tournaments, DraftKings deliberately adopted and prominently began using the NCAA’s iconic NCAA Basketball Marks, including confusingly similar variations thereof, to trade on — and usurp — the immense goodwill, recognition, and consumer trust embodied in those Marks at the precise moment of peak public attention,” the complaint said.Screenshots of DraftKings wagering platforms were included in exhibits attached to the complaint.“DraftKings’s unlawful use quickly proliferated across its consumer-facing websites and mobile applications, embedding the marks and logos into betting menus, promotional graphics, and marketing publications, to deliberately exacerbate consumer confusion and reinforce a false association with or sponsorship by the NCAA in order to continuously capitalize on the goodwill of the NCAA,” the complaint said.DraftKings said in a statement that it is not engaging in trademark infringement.“DraftKings does not use the term March Madness as a trademark, but rather uses it in plain text and as a fair use in the same manner that other tournaments are displayed, such as the NIT, in order to accurately identify the different tournaments and their respective games,” DraftKings said. 'This is protected speech under the First Amendment and is not a violation of any brand’s trademark. We are confident that the courts will deny this request for an injunction.”RELATED STORY | NCAA ordered to pay $18M to former football player and wife in concussion lawsuitThe NCAA said it avoids any appearance of affiliation with gambling companies and has declined sportsbook sponsorships, banned sports betting by athletes and staff and publicly opposed prop bets and micro-bets. The NCAA noted it has launched initiatives to prevent harassment and improper influence in college sports and preserve the integrity of its competitions.'Every day that DraftKings continues to use these marks, millions of sports fans — and, critically, college students and young adults who are particularly susceptible to gambling harm — are exposed to the false suggestion that the Association has authorized or endorsed DraftKings’ gambling platform,” the NCAA said in a statement.
NCAA Draftkings Trademark Infringement Basketball Tournament Legal
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DraftKings Promo Code: Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus Instantly for NCAA Tournament + 100% BoostNo DraftKings promo code needed for $200 bonus bets on NCAA Tournament Round 1 games. Bet $5, get $200 instantly plus 100% NCAA Tournament boost.
Read more »
DraftKings, FanDuel Go Live in Arkansas Amid Razorbacks' NCAA Tourney RunBettors in The Natural State can now use the two giant operators to wager on their home-state team ahead of its game against High Point on Saturday.
Read more »
NCAA files complaint over DraftKings' use of trademarked termsThe NCAA has filed a complaint in federal court seeking an emergency restraining order against online sportsbook DraftKings. The NCAA wants DraftKings to stop using registered trademarks associated with its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
Read more »
NCAA Sues DraftKings Over March Madness Usage to Protect Collegiate IntegrityThe NCAA announced its lawsuit against the gambling company on Friday night.
Read more »
NCAA asks court to stop DraftKings from using trademarked terms such as 'March Madness'The NCAA has filed a complaint in federal court seeking an emergency restraining order against online sportsbook DraftKings
Read more »
NCAA sues DraftKings for March Madness trademark infringementThe NCAA filed suit against DraftKings on Friday, accusing the sportsbook operator of trademark infringement for use of terms such as March Madness.
Read more »