Indie Wrestlers May Sue WWE Over “A-Town’s” Nickname
Is the WWE facing a lawsuit over Austin Theory? A recent report suggests a dispute between an indie tag team and the WWE could lead to litigation.
WrestleTalk’s Connel Rumsey is reporting:
An independent tag team has sent two cease and desist letters to WWE over United States Champion Austin Theory’s nickname. Theory has been referring to himself as ‘The Now’ for several months following his failed Money In The Bank cash-in and character shift last year.
H/T WrestleTalk
This team is no fly-by-night duo but a long-established team on the indie circuit. According to The Hudson Valley Post’s Bobby Welber:
For at least 15 years, Hudson Valley residents Rob Begely and Dale Chapman have wrestled under the names as Vik Dalishus and Hale Collins.The two have mainly worked as a tag team on the independent wrestling circuit as “The Now.”
H/T The Hudson Valley Post
“The Now’s” Rob Begely explained to The Hudson Valley Post that:
“My initial reaction was shock, because of the fact that we have had it copyrighted since 2006, and there’s many people in WWE who know Hale and I, know our names, and know we own it,”
H/T The Hudson Valley Post
Wrestling and Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is fiercely protected by wrestlers and promoters. It’s common practice for large promotions to trademark catchphrases, move names, and wrestler names to monetize these properties.
The WWE is notorious for having wrestlers change their names so the WWE can trademark them or getting wrestlers to sign over the rights to their stage names. Consequently, these wrestlers cannot use any trademarked names if they leave the WWE.
However, there often seems to be a double standard when it comes to wrestlers from smaller promotions using their intellectual property. Wrestlers have become better-versed in the importance of I.P. However, protecting their rights can be expensive.
WWE Facing Lawsuit Over Austin Theory?
What do you think of this report? Let us know in the comments below.
i get paid $550+ per day using my mobile in my part time. Last month i got my 4th paycheck of $17723 and i just do this work in my part time. its an easy and awesome home based job. Anybody can do this………..
==–=>>>>) http://Www.Coins71.Com
relaxing music
… [Trackback]
[…] Information on that Topic: wrestlelamia.co.uk/wwe-facing-lawsuit-over-austin-theory/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More here to that Topic: wrestlelamia.co.uk/wwe-facing-lawsuit-over-austin-theory/ […]