Spinnable Sports Your Sports, Our Spin
The National Football League is facing a lawsuit for threatening legal action against a law firm in Las Vegas that the NFL claims violated its copyright and trademarks in a commercial. The Dimopoulos Law Firm received a cease-and-desist letter from the NFL, ordering them to stop using the commercial or face the consequences of the league’s power. This action feels like it was an attempt to intimidate the law firm into complying with the NFL’s demands. However, the law firm has filed a countersuit in response to the NFL’s threats, likely surprising the NFL.
The commercial in question features Maxx Crosby in a black uniform with a silver helmet, which bears a striking resemblance to the Las Vegas Raiders’ look. Although there are no visible logos on the jersey or helmet, the NFL argues that the similarity is so close that it could cause confusion or trick the viewer. On the other hand, the law firm argues that their color scheme has featured black and silver long before the Raiders ever moved to Vegas.
The commercial can be viewed in full below, and you may notice something interesting as you watch it. Maxx Crosby is not the only athlete featured in the commercial, as William Karlsson and Jon Jones also appear. Yet there are no reports of the NHL or UFC threatening legal action over the commercial.
It will be interesting to see how this legal battle unfolds. The NFL, being a giant corporation, likely never faces situations like this, and it’s refreshing to see a law firm standing up to them. This case could set a precedent for future disputes over copyright and trademark infringement.
