The owners of the new NECBL team in Bristol, CT have decided to nix the Bristol Nine nickname after they were nailed for using a modified version of the Mudville Nine logo without permission from the trademark and copyright holder.
We have no doubt that the “logo development” by the Bristol team was a result of a complete lack of understanding of intellectual property law, but they continue to mislead fans in order to save face. First, they are incorrect that the rights to the Mudville Nine are held by the Single-A Stockton Ports. The rights are actually owned by the former Stockton Ports owner, who now owns the Single-A Visalia Rawhide. And contrary to what the Bristol team was allegedly told by the someone with the Stockton Ports, the logo is indeed still being used in commerce. A simple Google search would turn up that Mudville Nine caps and jerseys are being sold on the Rawhide website.
It is also interesting to us that one unamed source from the Bristol team boasted that they would have prevailed in any legal action claiming trademark or copyright infringement. This demonstrates to us that the source is entirely ignorant of intellectual property law. Trust us. The Bristol team would have been demolished in any infringement case.
Again, we are pleased to see a new NECBL team come to Bristol and hope for their success, but this continued effort to mislead in order to put a “don’t blame us” happy face on all this is no the way to handle the situation. Simply admit ignorance and apologize for making this mistake right out of the starting gate. It’s okay. Fans will understand, if you are simply honest with them. Read more here.
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