Palm Springs AHL Affiliate Files Three More Trademark Applications for Potential Team Names

Oak View Group, LLC, the owner of Seattle's new NHL franchise, added three more candidates to the list of possible names for the team's AHL affiliate in Palm Springs. On August 15, the group filed three new trademark applications with the USPTO for:

• PALM SPRINGS SUN
• PALM SPRINGS DRAGONS
• PALM SPRINGS FALCONS

All the applications cover "Entertainment in the nature of hockey games" in Class 41. The applications were filed by the same attorney and law firm that filed three other trademark applications for potential team names earlier in August that cover the same services:

• PALM SPRINGS HAWKS
• PALM SPRINGS EAGLES
• PALM SPRINGS FIREBIRDS

These earlier applications seemed to suggest a "bird" theme for the new AHL team, but the recent applications for "DRAGONS" and "SUN" indicate that might not be the case.

It's not uncommon for a new team to file multiple trademark applications on an intent-to-use basis for potential team names. Back in June 2016, I blogged about several filings for Tucson, Arizona's new AHL team (the Arizona Coyotes affiliate). That team ended up choosing the TUCSON ROADRUNNERS. And back in January 2016, I blogged about applications for the LA CHARGERS filed by the Chargers Football Company before the NFL teamed moved to LA.

While you may see more trademark filings by the Oak View Group, LLC, it's very possible the name of the new AHL team in Palm Springs will be one of those listed above.

St. Louis Blues File Trademark for HEARTLAND OF HOCKEY

According to the St. Louis Blues, the Heartland of Hockey is located in St. Louis, Missouri. On October 7th, the NHL team filed a federal trademark application to maximize its legal rights in that phrase.

The team filed this intent-to-use trademark for professional hockey services and a variety of hockey related merchandise. If this application matures to a federal registration, the St. Louis Blues will be the only hockey team that can use the HEARTLAND OF HOCKEY phrase. Because this application is an intent-to-use application, the Blues will need to file a Statement or Allegation of Use showing use of this trademark in commerce before a registration can be issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

That Allegation of Use might be coming sooner rather than later, however. The team is already putting the phrase out there as part of its push to host the 2018 World Juniors Championships. This trademark application follows an announcement in mid-September that St. Louis is one of the three finalists to host the World Juniors Championships. Buffalo and Pittsburgh are also still in the running.