The newest addition to the National Hockey League has taken the hockey world by storm. In its inaugural year, the Golden Knights have accomplished the unexpected: dominating the league in their first year.
Currently sitting at the number two spot for the league rankings, the Golden Knights haven’t had any issues knocking down any opponent in its way. However, that is on the ice; off the ice, the Golden Knights have faced a different type of challenge, and that is the United States Army.
Army Parachute logo and Vegas Golden Knights logo.
The saga between the two began in September 2017, when the army initially filed a complaint against the Golden Knights. To kick off the new year, the Army took the feud to the next level, filing a trademark opposition with the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board against the two trademark applications for the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Vegas Golden Knights.
In the filing, the Army claims it believes it will be damaged by the registration of the mark, that they have long used the mark since at least the late sixties in connection with its U.S. Army Parachute Team, as well as for recruiting efforts, and public relations for the U.S. Military.
The tension between the two seems to be slowly coming under control as they make strides to settle. The Vegas Golden Knights filed a “Motion for Suspension for Settlement With Consent,” and according to multiple reports, the new hockey franchise is in negotiations with the Army.
It has been reported that the Army fears that consumers will be confused by the similarity of the trademarks and will believe that the NHL’s newest expansion team is affiliated with the Army.
Both organizations use the name “Golden Knights” for sports purposes. The Army Golden Knights is a parachute team, and the Vegas Golden Knights are currently the leaders of the NHL Western Conference.
Not only does the Army believe it has the right to the trademarked name, but also the Gold and Black color scheme. Army’s West Point, Black Knight Hockey team uses the colors black and gold or white and yellow for its uniforms.
Bill Foley, the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights, is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. Hence, the reason why the Army believes the Golden Knights Parachute team influenced the branding of the NHL franchise.
Vegas Golden Knights responded to the allegations with a snarky comment, stating that the organization has not received a single complaint from consumers attending a professional hockey game, expecting to see the parachute team.
Since Las Vegas has filed a motion for settlement, the two parties have the opportunity to negotiate before being required to settle with the USPTO. The negotiation time limit is 90 days, with a response deadline of April 25.
Despite the off-ice issues, the Vegas Golden Knights continue to strive in the NHL and have set the bar to make an appearance in the postseason. Hopefully, before the deadline, the Army and the Vegas Golden Knights organization can settle and end their current quarrel.
