A federal judge denied Pepperdine University’s request for an injunction to prevent Netflix from airing portions of their new series, Running Point, which the university claims violates its basketball team’s trademarks.
Following the rejection of the temporary injunction on Wednesday, Netflix moves forward with their plans to debut the sports comedy on schedule, tomorrow as planned.
The ongoing court case centers around a lawsuit Pepperdine University filed against Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday, claiming they’ve violated trademark rights. They argue that the basketball team featured in the show “Running Point” shares a strong visual similarity with Pepperdine’s established and widely recognized Waves athletics program.
At one point, Pepperdine University’s senior vice president, Sean Burnett, declared that the university “established itself as a Christian institution focused on academic achievement and top-tier athletics,” but went on to express concern over Netflix’s promotion of the new series “Running Point, which inappropriately uses our trademarked name ‘Waves’, our school colors, blue and orange, our home city of Los Angeles, and even the year we were founded.
He stated, “Considering their blatant neglect of our copyrights and the harm it causes to our university’s reputation, coupled with Netflix and Warner Bros.’ persistent unwillingness to address our issues, we feel compelled to pursue legal action.
In a recent court decision, Judge Cynthia Valenzuela determined that Netflix’s use of The Waves’ trademarks does not deceive consumers about the origin of the content. She emphasized that the show’s title cards clearly indicate to viewers that Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Mindy Kaling are involved in the series production.
According to Jonathan Hyman, an intellectual property attorney at Knobbe Martens, this ruling doesn’t signify the elimination of trademark rights, but it might create challenges for brand owners when contesting the usage of their trademarks within films and TV shows.
Pepperdine University may now elect to move for a preliminary injunction.
Read More
- Cookie Run Kingdom: Shadow Milk Cookie Toppings and Beascuits guide
- Broadway Box Office: Idina Menzel in ‘Redwood’ Sees Strong Start
- 😂🚀 Cryptocurrency Shenanigans: Pepe Coin’s Wild Ride & Yeti Ouro’s Rise 🏔️💰
- Rick Owens Gives RIMOWA’s Cabin Roller a Bronze Patina
- New Era and BEAMS Reunite for Spring/Summer 2025 Collection
- EXCLUSIVE: Mrs star Sanya Malhotra recalls seeing Shah Rukh Khan for 1st time and it’s not on Jawan sets; ‘Mujhey ek mahina…’
- Neil Gaiman’s Ex-Wife Amanda Palmer on Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Claims: “I Deny the Allegations”
- Australia implements sweeping ban on credit and crypto for online betting
- The Rookie’s Jenna Dewan Teases Return After Season 7 Absence, But The Showrunner Spilled Those Beans Already
- JJJJound’s Made in Germany adidas Superstars Drop This Week
2025-02-27 03:25