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On Monday, Leonard filed a lawsuit against Nike for a personal logo, which, according to Leonard, had been fraudulently protected by copyright and designed by Leonard.
The nine-page lawsuit was filed in the Southern California District Court.
"In 2011, just after being selected by the National Basketball Association (the" NBA "), Kawhi Leonard created a unique logo featuring significant and unique elements for him," said the pursuit.
Leonard drew his particularly large hand and drew inside it stylized versions of his initials "KL" and the number he had worn for much of his career, "2 The drawing Leonard wrote was an extension and continuation of the drawings he had created since the beginning of his academic career.
"A few years later, under a contract of approval with Nike, Leonard allowed Nike to use on some goods the logo that he created, while Leonard continued to use the logo." on products other than Nike.
"Unbeknownst to Leonard and without his consent, Nike filed an application for registration of its copyrighted logo and falsely indicated in the application that Nike was the author of the logo.
"Leonard intends to use the logo on clothing lines, shoes and other products and, inter alia, as part of sports camps and charity activities, but Nike is explicitly opposed to such uses. "
A Nike representative told CNN on Monday that the company was not commenting on the ongoing dispute. The Raptors refused to forward any statement from Leonard.
Leonard's contract with Nike expired in September. He is now under contract with New Balance.
A resident of San Diego County, he played college basketball at San Diego State University before participating in the 2011 NBA draft. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers but was traded on the night of the 2011 draft. Spurs from San Antonio, where he played seven seasons, winning the NBA Finals and winning the NBA Finals MVP title in 2014.
Leonard was traded to the Raptors in 2018. Since then, Toronto has had its best season with the striker, reach the finals of the NBA for the first time in the history of the franchise. The series with the warriors is even a game each. The third game will be held Wednesday in Oakland.
Prosecution: Leonard has never transferred the logo rights to Nike
Leonard signed with Nike in October 2011. During his agreement with the company, both parties have started discussions on creating a logo to add on the merchandise to be sold as part of the deal. Nike agreement, said the lawsuit.
"Leonard never transferred the rights to the Leonard logo to Nike." Conversely, as indicated by the many communications, including text and emails, Leonard allowed Nike to use the Leonard logo in their interest. mutual and for the specific purpose Agreement for the duration of the contract, "said the prosecution.
"Indeed, Nike representatives acknowledged Leonard's rights to the Leonard logo – they called it the" Kawhi logo "in written communications with Leonard, Leonard, unchallenged or contested by Nike, continued to use the Leonard logo on products other than Nike, including clothing and merchandise used for basketball camps, appearances and charity events, even though Nike affixed Leonard's logo on Nike products. "
In May 2017, according to the complaint, Nike filed an application with the US Copyright Office to register the "Kawhi Leonard logo" without Leonard's knowledge or without his consent. Regarding the application, the lawsuit stated that Nike had claimed the author's quality in 2014 of the logo, as well as the rights and permissions relating to it.
At the same time, the trial said that in November 2017, Leonard had requested the registration of two brands of the logo, which had subsequently been registered.
On January 30, Leonard's lawyer asked Nike to revoke its copyright on the logo, according to the lawsuit. Nike responded on March 11 that it owned the property rights and asked Leonard to stop using them.
Kevin Dotson of CNN contributed to this report.
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