I don’t like that as an alternative either. This ain’t soccer.
In the NHL, teams always use a “City/State plus Nickname” format.
No reason why we should be the ODDBALL.
Just did a quick search for Aeros in the USPTO database. The Minnesota Wild still own active trademarks for the name in hockey usage including merch. However, the trademark on some of the logos would
As far as prior use goes, Law, I know you’re not a trademark expert. However, I’d venture to guess that since the WHA Aeros trademark expired and wasn’t in continuous use, you’d not be able to go with the prior use. Whereas the Minnesota Wild kept the trademark active and you can still buy Aeros merch today. If the WHA Aeros was still around that would be different. (Edit: I just saw your post about continuous use. I find trademark and ip law interesting but didn’t try to look up the info you did)
(Kinda like if you remember the Harold Powell stores in Houston, they were Harold’s everywhere else but Houston already had a Harold’s that sold mens clothing).
@uhlaw97 If you have a buddy trademark lawyer who is a Coog, get them to come here and settle this issue for us.
I do agree that the old logos and colors from WHA should be fair game.
As I said, the NAME “Houston Aeros” would be protected, and a prior use wouldn’t help simply because to use that, the prior mark would have had to have been in continuous use by the point of registration; this clearly wasn’t (as the original Aeros had folded in the 1978).
That said OTHER WHA Aeros’ logos, colors, etc. are not substantially similar to and would cause little risk of confusion with the IHL/NHL Aeros’ colors, logos, etc.
Based on that, those could probably still be used safely.
I assume that it’s kind of like how Burger King in Australia is called “Happy Jack” instead of Burger King.
I think you’re right, of course the law would be different in Australia but similar concept. I think I read an article about that at some point.
The NHL got the Jets name when the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnepeg so I don’t think it would be a problem for them to get the Aeros name from the Wild.
If the league does finally pull the plug on hockey in the desert Houston and in recent weeks Salt Lake City are two likely destinations. The owners of the Jazz have deep pockets and they are pushing hard to get a team in Utah.
The likely cities to be in the running for a move or expansion
Houston
Salt Lake City
Quebec
Atlanta
Could work…as long as Tilman doesn’t pull a Oliver Luck and cave in to BS opposition!
As I said, that ain’t NHL style.
NHL style is city/state plus nickname.
Huh?
Soccer style is city + FC
The 1836 was borrowing a cue from the other sports
Philadelphia 76ers (1776)
San Francisco 49ers (1849)
Fun fact: out of MLB/NBA/MLB, there are THREE teams that neither have a city or state name in their name
New England Patriots
Carolina Panthers
Golden State Warriors
I also still think the Texans botched their name, if they wanted that choice, the correct spelling should have been
The Houston Texians
The Golden Nuggets?
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If Tilman were to own both teams why not the Rockets
Back in the day we had two teams named NY Giants.
That’s absolutely not true. Especially in Germany, teams like Darmstadt 98 or Mainz 05 are at least as much of a thing as “Dynamo” is in Eastern Europe. That said, the year in the name typically refers to the club’s founding year rather than something to do with the city, but Houston 1836 is almost certainly better branding than Houston 07.
I now nothing about German league soccer names…but I do know the 76ers and the 49ers are NOT soccer squads.
Again, that’s “City + Nickname”
For Houston to be the equivalent, it would have to be the Houston 36ers.
NOT Houston 1836.
Anyway, that’s dumb.
It needs to be either the Aeros or Apollos.
NO NHL team has a year in their name.
Because Aeros and Apollos are names well-etched in Houston hockey history.
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Bring the Edmonton Oilers to Houston.
Hence, Houston Oilers.
Then, we can take delight in Amy Adams’ disgust.
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Yeah, basically!
At this point in time I just want Professional Hockey back in Houston. I don’t care what they are called.
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What about the Shamrocks for the old and long gone Shamrock hotel? Still think Aeros it is.
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