MA-based sporting goods retailer MVP Sports "filed suit
yesterday against" MVP.com, the Web-based retailer launched
last month by John Elway, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky
in conjunction with CBS Corp. and other venture capital
groups, according to Lynnley Browning of the BOSTON GLOBE.
MVP Sports, a retailer with 19 outlets in four New England
states, charged MVP.com with "unfair competition, trademark
dilution and 'cyberpiracy' -- or poaching of its Internet
identity -- among other violations." MVP Sports said it
registered the domain name mvp-sports.com in May '97 and
"eventually plans to use" its Web site to sell goods online.
MVP.com registered its domain name last December and plans
to begin direct sales this month. MVP.com spokesperson Eric
Rannala, on the charges: "We thoroughly analyzed all the
trademark issues and we are confident that our right to the
name and the domain is free and clear" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/12).
Also in Boston, Cromwell Schubarth reports that MVP Sports
"wants a court injunction to block" MVP.com's use of the
"MVP name." The retailer is "also seeking the transfer" of
the MVP.com domain name and "more than $400,000 in damages
and attorney fees" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/12).
