Courts: Yankees Hold Rights To Name “Evil Empire”
Posted by Steve L. on February 22nd, 2013 · Comments (3)
Via Law 360 –
The New York Yankees hold the rights to the phrase “Evil Empire,” the nickname used by their detractors, and can prevent another company from registering the name as a trademark, a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office panel ruled recently.
In a Feb. 8 decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board held that Evil Enterprises Inc. couldn’t register a trademark on the phrase “Baseball’s Evil Empire” for use on apparel featuring the Yankees logo adorned with a devil and pitchfork.
I still don’t know why the Yankees take pride in this handle that Larry Lucchino pinned on them? Who wants to be “evil”?
I actually think it’s the opposite – the Yankees want to stop other people from using “Evil Empire” in connection with the Yankees. I doubt they want to use it themselves.
“Evil” is used in this context much like “hero” is used in sports, meaning that people use the words, but it doesn’t mean what they think it means…
Inconceivable, I know
It was a slam by Lucchino that was turned on its head. The Yanks have played up the “Evil Empire” angle, as anyone who has listened to the Yankees lineups being announced can attest
‘Who wants to be “evil”?’ That depends on who is using the term, and under what circumstances…