Shaq’s Authentic Brands Group has filed suit against the retired NBA player’s son, Shaqir O’Neal, after he applied for a trademark. The company expressed concern about the trademarks being “confusingly similar” in an opposition filed with the court.
The Notice of Opposition starts by claiming that Authentic Brands Group ("ABG") holds all the rights in Shaq's name, image and likeness.
This is true.
Shaq did transfer all of these assets to ABG and is a shareholder in the company.
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— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) July 19, 2022
According to the documents,
“Opposer (Athentic Brands Group) controls all right, title, and interest in and to the name, likeness and image of the legendary basketball player and entrepreneur, Shaquille O’Neal. Such rights are recognized by common law in many states and by statute in others, as well as under Section 43(a) of the United States Lanham Act.”
Shaq asked Authentic Brands Group to manage his likeness and marketing rights in 2015. He became the second largest shareholder in the company as well. Shaqir is represented by Mine O Mine LLC.
Authentic Brands Group goes on to claim that the trademark for SHAQIR O'NEAL is "confusingly similar" to trademarks it owns for Shaq.
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— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) July 19, 2022
Some find the opposition filing a shock seeing as how Shaq is Shaqir’s father. The former Lakers player, however, has made it abundantly clear that he planned to make his kids work hard for what they wanted in life. Shaq was especially adamant about teaching his sons to stand on their own feet.
“They’re kind of upset with me,” Shaq said of his kids’ demeanor during an interview last year. “They’re not really upset but they don’t understand,” he added. “I tell them all the time, ‘We ain’t rich. I’m rich. No, you got to have bachelor’s or masters and then if you want me to invest in one of your companies, you would have to present it to me and I’ll let you know. I’m not giving you nothing (sic),’” O’Neal shared. “The girls, I’ll take care of the girls, but the boys, they’re not getting nothing (sic).”
The Notice of Opposition concludes by claiming that the "purchasing public" will "erroneously assume" that goods and services offered under the "SHAQIR O'NEAL" trademark are connected to Authentic Brands Group.
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— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) July 19, 2022
Shaqir O’Neal is the youngest of Shaq’s sons. The retired NBA player also fathers three daughters named Taahirah, Me’arah, and Amirah.
Photo: Twitter
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