Former FSU QB Jameis Winston, the "potential No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, has filed to trademark 'Famous Jameis,' a nickname he was given during his impressive, two-year stint" in college, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. The Legacy Agency Principal Russ Spielman, whose firm reps Winston, said, "We have begun taking steps to protect our client and his intellectual property rights." Rovell cited U.S. Patent & Trademark Office records as showing that The Legacy Agency "filed the trademark on behalf of Winston on Feb. 5." Winston has said that he "has been called the nickname since his Little League baseball days." Rovell noted the phrase "gained national steam" during FSU's undefeated '13 season. The nickname has "appeared on merchandise, and a man from Alabama, Winston's home state, attempted to trademark it." The USPTO "challenged the filing on the grounds that it likely was connected to the football star" (ESPN.com, 3/2). In Orlando, Brendan Sonnone writes many "tried to profit off of Winston’s name and likeness" during his two years at FSU. One noteworthy example occurred when T-shirts of Winston’s face "spliced with Jesus Christ were being sold in Tallahassee." FSU "sent a cease and desist letter to the person selling the shirts" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/3).
MISSING THE MARK? FS1’s Petros Papadakis said Winston is "in a great position in life," as he is "about to be paid a lot of money and be a very high draft pick for somebody, maybe No. 1." Papadakis: "He doesn’t need to worry about trademarks." Papadakis noted former Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill trademarked “Kenny Trill” after a strong start to the '14 season, but he now is "not even playing there anymore." Papadakis: "It’s an embarrassing thing. I wouldn’t go down that road if I was Jameis.” But FS1’s Charissa Thompson said, “I'm into it, get your money, kid.” Papadakis: “There's no money in it right now” (“Fox Sports Live: Countdown,” FS1, 3/3). ESPN's Mike Greenberg said, “The initial reaction everyone has is to roll their eyes, but you know what? You would do exactly the same thing. ... If you could make a fortune on the name ‘Famous Jameis’ because you are Jameis and you are about to become famous and somebody said to you, ‘You should apply for a copyright on that because it might be worth a tremendous amount of money,’ you would be an idiot not to do so." Greenberg: "Roll your eyes all you want. If you were Jameis Winston or in his inner circle, you would do exactly the same thing.” ESPN’s Mike Golic: “It’s tough for me to argue that he shouldn't take advantage of those opportunities” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 3/3).
