As the NFL's expansion teams prepare for their first seasons
on the field, both front offices find themselves forced to
protect their trademarks against local radio stations looking to
take advantage of the teams' strong name I.D. in their respective
communities.
CAT FIGHT: The Panthers are contemplating suing radio
station WXRC if the station doesn't stop referring to itself as
"The Panther," according to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. The Panthers
and their flagship station, WBT-AM, claim to own the rights to
use the animal's name and likeness, which the team has
trademarked. WXRC President Dave Lingafelt said the station
never meant to infringe on any trademarks and is following the
team's wishes, for the moment, by eliminating references to the
station as "The Panther." Lingafelt: "We are going to eliminate
the word 'panther' just on a temporary basis to give them the
opportunity to show us if we have violated any specific clauses."
Panthers General Counsel Dick Thigpen: "These things you've got
to stop early" (AP/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/17).
JAGS LOOK TO SETTLE: The Jaguars and Jacksonville radio
station WJGR expect to reach an agreement in a few days over a
lawsuit filed by the Jaguars ordering the station to stop using
the moniker "Jaguar 1320," according to the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION.
Station officials said Friday they would stop using "Jaguar
1320," but they may keep using WJGR as their call letters. The
settlement may also require the station to change all signs and
advertisements that contain Jaguars' slogans. Station officials
say they are already in the process of doing this. Jaguars Dir
of Marketing Dan Connell: "We are very pleased with their
response to the lawsuit and anticipate releasing details of an
agreement in the near future" (Earl Daniels, FLORIDA TIMES-UNION,
5/17).
