College has lodged a legal opposition with the American Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against WWE wrestler Trinity Fatu’s use of her name on merchandise.
The legal reasons listed for opposing Trinity Fatu’s trademark, is the similarity in names is determined by College to cause a “likelihood of confusion” and “dilution by tarnishment” of Trinity’s brand.
For Trinity Fatu, this means an extensive list of goods and services that would have her birth name “Trinity” included are opposed. In this opposition made by the college, the use of her birth name in the following instances are prohibited: wrestling contests, entertainment services, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; live appearances by a professional wrestlers and sports entertainer, providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network, and providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes.
College declined to answer The University Times’ questions regarding the legal fees incurred by Trinity’s trademark oppositions generally, and the costs concerning Trinity Fatu’s trademark opposition specifically.
A spokesperson for the university commented on the situation via email that “it is usual for any trademark owner to lodge an opposition to an application which contains similar words in the same classes of goods and services. In Trinity’s case, this occurs several times a year and is generally a first step in a process that leads to a negotiation.”
“Trinity College Dublin is a registered trademark in the US in Class 41 Education and Class 25 Clothing. A watch service set up via external Trademark Agents alerts the University to any trademark applications in the U.S. in classes that contain any elements of our registered mark.”
The spokesperson’s statement implies that the trademark opposition is to block the trademark of clothing that Trinity Fatu may sell, however documents seen by The University Times have shown that Trinity Fatu is currently blocked completely from using her name in a professional merchandising capacity.
The college also shares its name with Trinity College Cambridge, and Trinity College Connecticut, which are titles that are not yet trademarked.
