MLB sues over Nats’ trademark
Tue., June 14, 2005
NOTES
The retailing arm of Major League Baseball sued a company on Monday that claims it owns trademark rights to the name Washington Nationals.
The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan said Bygone Sports LLC tried to “turn a quick, undeserved profit” by seeking trademark registration rights to the club’s name, even though it has been used for decades to refer to Washington teams.
Major League Baseball Properties Inc. and Baseball Expos L.P. asked the court to declare that the trademark does not belong to the company because its sole purpose in filing for a trademark was to capitalize on the naming of the new baseball team.
O’s move for dismissal
The Baltimore Orioles moved to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Comcast SportsNet that accuses the team and Major League Baseball of planning to televise Orioles games on a new network in 2007 without allowing the company to match the bid.
CSN filed the suit in Montgomery County Circuit Court in May. CSN, which is owned by Comcast has an agreement with the Orioles through the 2006 season.
“The Orioles signed top draft pick Brandon Snyder, the 13th overall selection in last week’s first-year player draft.
Walker considers retiring
St. Louis Cardinals’ Larry Walker might retire after this season, citing age and injuries.
“A lot of people say you know when your time is up. I had an inclination last year … I just decided to play this year and see what happens,” Walker said.
Clearing the bases
An MRI exam on the right ankle of Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui was negative. … Prince Fielder was brought up by the Brewers, and made his big league debut against the Devil Rays. He went 0 for 4. … Alex Sanchez, the first player suspended for failing a test under Major League Baseball’s new steroids policy, was cut by Tampa Bay. … Braves catcher Johnny Estrada was back in the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining a concussion in a collision at home plate a week earlier. He went 0 for 2. … The Pirates agreed to a contract with outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in last week’s amateur draft.
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