New York City Triathlon Blocks Club From Using Similar Name
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In a ruling that could impact the relationship between triathlons and triathlon clubs across the country, a district court in Manhattan ruled that a triathlon club could not be named the NYC Triathlon Club because it would infringe on the trademark rights of the New York City Triathlon.
Apparently there is room for only one New York City Triathlon group in this town.
A district court in Manhattan ruled Tuesday in favor of the New York City Triathlon, which was seeking an injunction against the NYC Triathlon Club, arguing that the club’s name infringed on state and federal trademark laws.
“We have spent 10 years and thousands of hours making the New York City Triathlon a successful brand,” said John Korff, the owner of the race. “When you have created a race of this size, you need to be ready to defend it.”
The ruling could have broader implications, given that independent triathlon clubs and races with city names are organized throughout the country, in Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, among other places.
Click here to see the complete article from the New York Times.