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MLB's attorneys sue David Robinson's nonprofit Academy
Ben Maller ^ | 9/23/2005 | Ben Maller

Posted on 10/1/2005, 1:21:51 PM by Now_is_The_Time

In San Antonio, David Robinson's legacy extends beyond the basketball court, a few blocks beyond the Alamodome, to 217 Robinson Place. That's the address for the Carver Academy, the nonprofit elementary school founded by Robinson so underprivileged children in his adopted hometown could enjoy a first-class education. Robinson, the retired NBA superstar, named the private school in honor of George Washington Carver, the noted educator, inventor and scientist. "That's the kind of wonder I want to inspire in the kids," Robinson said.

The Carver Academy opened in 2001, enrollment has doubled since then, and an endowment campaign is underway. But lawyers representing the school are busy fighting lawyers representing the Angels, according to the LOS ANGELES TIMES.

The lawyers contend the academy's interlocking CA logo might confuse or deceive people into believing the team is associated with the school — even though the team has not used such a logo in nine years.

The lawyers and executives working on baseball trademark issues handle "hundreds of active matters at any given time," said Ethan Orlinsky, senior vice president and general counsel of MLB Properties. The owner of a trademark must enforce it or risk losing it, he said.

In the Carver case, the Angels say they have the right to approve use of their names and logos in connection with "educational services." Although Carver's interlocking CA resembles the Angels' logo from 1993 to 1996, when they played as the California Angels, the academy uses different colors and does not include a halo.

That the Angels no longer use that logo is not necessarily relevant, Orlinsky said, because major league officials still license old logos.


TOPICS: Government; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: admiral; davidrobinson; lawyers
Thank goodness we have lawyers to protect us from such unethical, unscrupulous individuals such as Mr. Robinson.
1 posted on 10/1/2005, 1:21:54 PM by Now_is_The_Time
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To: Now_is_The_Time

Next they're going to say Clay Allison's heirs are suing, because it slightly resembles his old cattle brand, right?

I think I've said "stupid beyond belief" a thousand times this week - must be time to stop reading the news!


2 posted on 10/1/2005, 1:24:48 PM by Tax-chick (When bad things happen, conservatives get over it!)
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: Tax-chick

So when are the Yankees going to sue the Mets.


4 posted on 10/1/2005, 1:45:37 PM by rwilson99 (South Park (R)
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To: Now_is_The_Time
No good deed goes unpunished - especially one that really helps children & young adults. MLB & lawyers = paragon of virtue. (As Dr. Evil would say....Riiiiggghht...).
5 posted on 10/1/2005, 1:47:00 PM by Apercu ("Res ipsa loquitur")
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To: Baynative
The lawyers contend the academy's interlocking CA logo might confuse or deceive people into believing the team is associated with the school — even though the team has not used such a logo in nine years.

The academy's letters are on the same plane and can not be interlocked or twisted together as the Angles clearly are twisted, in more way than one.

6 posted on 10/1/2005, 1:54:47 PM by Mark was here (How can they be called "Homeless" if their home is a field?.)
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To: Baynative

Besides having no halo, the font, color and the way the two letters interlock are different.


7 posted on 10/1/2005, 1:57:11 PM by MediaMole
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To: Now_is_The_Time

So this lawyer says to another lawyer, Hey I got a great idea.....I e-mailed Carver and wished them luck.That is an infringement????


8 posted on 10/1/2005, 2:02:07 PM by VaRepublican
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To: rwilson99

"So when are the Yankees going to sue the Mets."

LOL! You are so right! I grew up in NYC and still live around here, I can't ever tell those NY logos apart. I just have to keep my mouth shut, unless I see either pinstripes or colors!


9 posted on 10/1/2005, 2:15:38 PM by jocon307
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To: Now_is_The_Time

I have nothing but respect for David Robinson. You knew he was special when he decided to serve his stint in the Navy rather than bolt for the NBA, even though he was technically tall enough to get out of his service. As soon as he won his last championship, the first words out of his mouth were to thank the Lord for sustaining him throughout the year. After he retired, he went into lay ministry with Max Lucado. He's given millions of dollars to local church and education projects. Great guy all around...


10 posted on 10/1/2005, 2:16:53 PM by MikeD (You can argue with your Maker, but you know that you just can't win...)
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To: MikeD
Spot on about the Admiral. He is the benchmark of class and generosity. As to infringement of a trademark, I think ( and I may be wrong) the ''logo'' in question must reasonable infer a business relationship between the parties involved.
11 posted on 10/1/2005, 2:31:28 PM by shadeaud (Liberals suffer from acute interior cornial craniorectoitis)
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To: Baynative

It's not even the same typefont.


12 posted on 10/1/2005, 3:29:15 PM by Tax-chick (When bad things happen, conservatives get over it!)
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To: Tax-chick

Gee, let's see now....MLB has problems with dope, steroids, player strikes, umpire strikes, owner malaise, fewer fans, ticket prices so high few can afford to go to the games, higher prices for food at those games, t.v. revenue down, fewer viewers each year for the World Series, uhmmm!! Do we see a problem here?? They figured out how to solve all of them...let's sue some little school in San Antonio, Texas for unauthorized use of something we havn't used in six or ten years...that's the ticket...we will get great press doing that and fans will flock to our gates with money in hand!! I don't know those a**holes are smokin', but is sure is some powerful stuff!! Are they all demorats or something???


13 posted on 10/1/2005, 3:59:45 PM by geezerwheezer (get up boys, we're burnin' daylight!!!)
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To: Baynative
Thanks for posting those two images. I'm convinced that these MLB must be doing WAAAAAAAAY too many recreational drugs. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but David's logo does not "confuse" or "deceive" me. I guess you have to be "stuck on stupid" to be "confused" or "deceived" by this nonsense.

Robinson is too fine a man to have to put up with this petty bovine scatology. These "lawyers" need their asses kicked.

14 posted on 10/1/2005, 4:06:48 PM by FlingWingFlyer (We Gave Peace A Chance. It Didn't Work Out. Search keyword: 09-11-01.)
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To: geezerwheezer

LOL - excellent summary!


15 posted on 10/1/2005, 4:28:50 PM by Tax-chick (When bad things happen, conservatives get over it!)
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