A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the Rockets' logo
of a "basketball-orbiting missile" will not be withdrawn
from merchandise as a result of a lawsuit against the team
by the logo designer, according to Deborah Tedford of the
HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Judge Kenneth Hoyt ruled the Rockets and
artist Thomas Nash "have an enforceable contract based upon
a contest entry form in which Nash gave design rights" to
the team. Nash filed a copyright infringement suit against
the Rockets in December, trying to "stop the team from using
the orbiting missile design on team jerseys and promotional
items." Nash won a contest in '94 to come up with a new
logo, but alleges that the Rockets' failure to give him the
prizes he won "nullified the 'contract' terms spelled out on
the entry form." Judge Hoyt agreed that the Rockets
breached a promotional contract by "failing to award the
prizes in a timely manner." Nash now "may recover damages
and 'reasonable and necessary' attorney's fees." Both Nash
and the team must submit written arguments regarding damages
and attorneys fees by July 10 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/27).
