Jeah!... It's a mess all right!...

U.S. Olympic Swimming Star and Gold Medalist, Ryan Lochte, has popularized the expression, "JEAH!"  And apparently, his people have convinced him to file a trademark application for various and sundry items, including apparel.  A good idea certainly.  But not surprisingly, there are some other hands in the same cookie jar.  Jeah, indeed!   We will look at these conflicting claims briefly and dish on the prospects.

1.  Ryan Lochte Trademark

Word Mark    JEAH
Goods and Services (G&S), International Class (IC) 9 for:
Sunglasses; Swim goggles; DVDs featuring workout routines; Magnetic coded gift cards
IC 014. G & S: Jewelry; Key chains as jewelry

IC 016. G & S: Trading cards; Calendars; Posters; Photographs

IC 021. G & S: Mugs; Drinking glasses; Reusable water bottles sold empty

IC 025. G & S: T-shirts; Sweatshirts; Blouses; Sweaters; Shorts; Pants; Skirts; Socks; Swimsuits; Hats; Baseball caps; Sports hats; Jackets; Swim caps; Tank tops; Hooded sweatshirts

Standard Characters Claimed   
Mark Drawing Code    (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number    85692888
Filing Date    August 1, 2012
Current Basis    1B
Original Filing Basis    1B
Owner    (APPLICANT) Ryan Lochte INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES c/oTheresa Simpson Garvey Schubert Barer 1191 Second Avenue, Ste 1800 Seattle WASHINGTON 98101
Attorney of Record    Theresa Simpson
Type of Mark    TRADEMARK
Register    PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator    LIVE

2.  VERSED Article re Rapper, MC Eiht 

http://theversed.com/2012/08/20/ryan-lochte-files-trademark-application-for-jeah-catchphrase-mc-eight-plans-cease-and-desist-letter/

excerpt:  "Locthe has been publicly saying “Jeah” for several years now, and credits Young Jeezy’s “Chea” for the inspiration to the catchphrase. Trademarks can be a long, and sometimes grueling process, so it will be interesting to see how this one turns out in the long run."

3.  JEAH Communications Trademark

Word Mark    JEAH
Goods and Services    IC 025. G & S: Baseball caps; Boxer briefs; Boxer shorts; Button down shirts; Caps with visors; Children's and infants' cloth bibs; Golf shirts; Hats; Hooded sweat shirts; Infant and toddler one piece clothing; Jackets; Jerseys; Maternity clothing, namely, t-shirts; Open-necked shirts; Panties, shorts and briefs; Pants; Polo shirts; Shirts for infants, babies, toddlers and children; Shorts; Sweaters; Sweatshirts; T-shirts; Tank tops.
FIRST USE: 19990406. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19990406
Standard Characters Claimed   
Mark Drawing Code    (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number    85709491
Filing Date    August 21, 2012
Current Basis    1A
Original Filing Basis    1A
Owner    (APPLICANT) JEAH Communications, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY WISCONSIN PO Box 231 Menomonee Falls WISCONSIN 53052
Type of Mark    TRADEMARK
Register    PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator    LIVE

--- and

Word Mark    JEAH
Goods and Services    IC 042. G & S: Hosting the web sites of others on a computer server for a global computer network. FIRST USE: 19990406. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19990406
Mark Drawing Code    (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number    76168934
Filing Date    November 21, 2000
Current Basis    1A
Original Filing Basis    1A
Published for Opposition     September 24, 2002
Registration Number    2661650
Registration Date    December 17, 2002
Owner    (REGISTRANT) JEAH COMMUNICATIONS, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY WISCONSIN N82W13414 Fond du Lac Avenue Menomonee Falls WISCONSIN 53051
Assignment Recorded    ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Type of Mark    SERVICE MARK
Register    PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text    SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20120222.
Renewal    1ST RENEWAL 20120222
Live/Dead Indicator    LIVE

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Comments:  Ryan Lochte's multiple class trademark application was filed based on "intent to use" on August 1, 2012.  He must still file a Statement of use before obtaining a registration.  In the meantime, Jeah Communications has filed on August 21, 2012, a prior use based trademark application for JEAH for apparel.  This latter application will likely be suspended pending the outcome of the Lochte trademark application, which is likely going to be published for opposition in spite of the earlier service mark registration owned by Jeah Communications for web site hosting services.  The earlier use alleged by Jeah Communications could, however, be used as grounds for the filing of an Opposition against the Lochte application by Jeah Communications.


The claims of the rapper, MC Eiht,  highlighted in Paragraph 2 above, represent a different level of concern, however, and could lead to a fight in court over the respective claims to JEAH.  Additionally, it is uncertain what additional conflict may exist because of Lochte's own admission that the inspiration for JEAH was another rapper, namely, Young Jeezy, and his use of CHEA.



Time will tell...


Respectfully submitted,



William E. Maguire, Esq.
www.TrademarkEsq.com


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