Kawhi Leonard files lawsuit against Nike to get control of his “Klaw” logo
Part of the discussion of where Kawhi Leonard would play next year was about his brand and marketing opportunities. Leonard may not show much concern for that kind of marketing, but that why there has been buzz for more than a year now that some in his camp were pushing hard for a return to Los Angeles. It was about the potential of building the brand.
If you’ve watched the postgame press conferences for Leonard these Finals, you have noticed he’s wearing gear with his “Klaw” logo on it.
Leonard cares enough about that logo (and his brand) to sue Nike to get control of it, as first reported by Matthew Kish of the Portland Business Journal (hat tip to Marc Stein of the New York Times).
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Breaking: Kawhi Leonard has filed a federal lawsuit against Nike. Leonard claims he designed the logo that appeared on his Nike apparel and Nike copyrighted the logo without his consent.
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From the story about the lawsuit, filed in Southern California.
In the nine-page lawsuit, Leonard claims the logo is an extension of drawings he started making early in his college career and he gave Nike permission to use the logo “on certain merchandise” when he had an endorsement deal with Nike. Leonard claims Nike filed an application for copyright registration for the logo without his consent.
Leonard left Nike for New Balance when his endorsement contract was up, undoubtedly he and his new shoe company would like to use that logo on apparel and shoes.
The logo matters so much to Leonard that the Clippers — trying to recruit Leonard as a free agent — looked into buying it off Nike, something Stein already reported. Nike said no to the idea, which would have been a major salary cap violation anyway.
This lawsuit likely is trying to force a settlement where Nike would sell the logo to Leonard. As an attorney friend once told me, everything can be settled for the right price. The question for Nike and Leonard is can they get close to a price.
What does this mean for Leonard and where he might play next season? Nothing. He’d want control over the logo no matter what decision he makes. It certainly matters less than if he did buy property in Toronto.
Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 13823 Location: Boulder ;)
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 8:55 pm Post subject:
I really appreciate he is suing them and has the money to do it
If what he says is true then they are gonna look like greedy thieves if they don't heal this
Best of luck Kawhi
Legally, I'm not sure if he has a case. He probably owns the rights to the rough version he did where he traced his hands and wrote his initials in them. But that doesn't mean he owns the right to the stylized version that the Nike artist created from that
Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 13823 Location: Boulder ;)
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2019 10:27 am Post subject:
activeverb wrote:
Legally, I'm not sure if he has a case. He probably owns the rights to the rough version he did where he traced his hands and wrote his initials in them. But that doesn't mean he owns the right to the stylized version that the Nike artist created from that
Nah.. I do doubt that he put enough of a condition in his contractual agreement while designing his own clothing. Possible that no matter who finalized the style he had to agree to let it be the logo for his clothing?
If it was used on his Clothing and is now being used on other NIKE clothing that is not his...
Would be like putting the air jordan jump logo on some clothes but not calling them Jordans?
Legally, I'm not sure if he has a case. He probably owns the rights to the rough version he did where he traced his hands and wrote his initials in them. But that doesn't mean he owns the right to the stylized version that the Nike artist created from that
Nah.. I do doubt that he put enough of a condition in his contractual agreement while designing his own clothing. Possible that no matter who finalized the style he had to agree to let it be the logo for his clothing?
If it was used on his Clothing and is now being used on other NIKE clothing that is not his...
Would be like putting the air jordan jump logo on some clothes but not calling them Jordans?
My guess is Nike doesn't want to use the logo. They just want to prevent New Balance from using it.
The ownership of the logo will come down to the language in the contract. In the absence of any specific language, my guess is Leonard would own the original drawing he did, and Nike would own the stylized interpretation of the drawing that became the logo.
Leonard's suit may be an attempt to embarrass Nike into giving him the logo, even if he doesn't have the legal rights to it.
Love how the Clippers are straight up trying to tamper with another team's player trying to buy the logo from Nike.
It's an interesting question if the league would consider that tampering. It's such an unusual thing that it doesnt fall within the normal boundaries of tampering violations.
I think the bigger issue might be the Clippers buying the logo, which strikes me as unlikely, and then trying to give or sell it to Leonard without violating the salary cap rules.
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Kawhi Leonard files lawsuit against Nike to get control of his "Klaw" logo
Nike files countersuit against Kawhi Leonard over 'Klaw' logo
Quote:
A month after Kawhi Leonard sued Nike for allegedly copyrighting the “Klaw” logo without his consent, the apparel company has countersued the reigning NBA Finals MVP for allegedly using a design it created and owns, according to multiple reports.
lol Kawhi's sketch looks like something my 6 year old could have whipped up in a few minutes.
If he signed with the Lakers, Lebron probably could have had some Nike execs do a big solid on this but now they going full force with a counter-suit
no more Klaw for Kawhi _________________ (bleep) Kawhi
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90305 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:52 am Post subject:
I think Nike should start a promotion with that logo for Danny Green _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90305 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:53 am Post subject:
Maybe even something along the lines that he brings new balance to the Lakers _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 8125 Location: Born and Raised in Los Angeles, now living in Manhattan, NY.
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 3:43 pm Post subject:
My guess is Nike owns the final artwork. Unless there is a specific clause in his contract preventing Nike from ownership, which is highly unlikely in this case.
Kawhi Leonard sued Nike over rights to his “Klaw” logo (the one the Clippers reportedly considered buying for him if he signed, which would have been clear salary-cap circumvention).
Maxine Bernstein of The Oregonian:
A federal judge Wednesday rejected NBA star Kawhi Leonard’s claims that Nike unlawfully copyrighted his “Klaw” logo.
U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman ruled that the logo Nike designers helped create with Leonard marked an “independent piece of intellectual property’’ that was distinct from the original sketch Leonard initially conceived and shared with Nike.
TMZ posted the designs:
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Nike Fires Back at Kawhi Leonard, 'Distinct Differences' In Klaw Logo https://trib.al/bFAnNqT
Nike Fires Back at Kawhi Leonard, 'Distinct Differences' In Klaw Logo
Nike says it has proof it didn't jack Kawhi's logo.
tmz.com
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11:12 AM - Jul 18, 2019
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This is a rare setback for Leonard, who has dominated the last year.
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