DC-based Evolution Finance for two years has been "locked in a trademark dispute" with lawyers representing the Nationals and Cubs after MLB opposed its "attempt to trademark the white-and-green logo" for its WalletHub website, according to Steven Overly of the WASHINGTON POST. The league "asserts that the WalletHub logo bears a strong resemblance to Ws trademarked by the two teams, and that granting Evolution Finance rights to use the mark without restrictions could create confusion for customers and complications for both businesses." The league in documents said that the two teams "hold trademarks featuring similar block-type Ws -- not just the curly W more often associated with the Nationals." The Cubs’ W is "used on a flag that flies over the team’s stadium after a win," while the Nationals "hold a trademark for a block-type W that was primarily used when the team was known as the Senators." MLB attorneys said that consumers will be led to believe that the WalletHub personal finance site is "related to or endorsed by the sports teams, which would have an adverse effect on both the Nationals and Cubs." Evolution Finance Founder & CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou believes that the league has "negotiated in good faith, but the restrictions it proposes are too onerous." Overly cites a draft agreement that "primarily demands the start-up not use its logo in connection with baseball or softball." However, it "also requires Evolution Finance to agree it will not try to trademark a stand-alone W for any other goods or services" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/10).
