Shaq’s company blocks son Shaqir O’Neal’s attempted trademark claim
There may be trouble behind the scenes for the O’Neal family, as patriarch and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s Authentic Brands Group has blocked his youngest son Shaqir’s trademark claim for his own name and likeness, according to documents seen by The Shade Room.
ABG, of which Shaq is the second-largest shareholder, filed one Notice of opposition on July 15, essentially blocking his son’s trademark registration. The reason for the notice is that their names are so similar that it could cause confusion, according to legal documents.
Shaqir, a 19-year-old basketball player himself from the Texas Southern University Tigers, is represented by Mine O Mine LLC.
@dinvaremærkeadvokat Big plot twist in #shaquilleoneal vs his own son’s trademark application. Why would Shaq’s company oppose his son’s #trademark 🤷🏽♀️ But there are still lessons in this hot topic. #yourtrademarklawyer #beautymarklawyer #intellectualproperty #copyright #smallbusinesstiktok #blackownedbusiness #nba #ncaa #nil #basketballchallenge
♬ original sound – LBJ
“Applicant’s mark is the same or a close approximation of the Shaq Marks, and Applicant’s mark is confusingly similar in sight, sound and commercial impression to Opponent’s Shaq Marks,” the notice states. “The Shaq marks are famous, and they were famous long before applicant filed the opposing applications, which were filed on the basis of intention-to-use.”
If his father’s application is successful, Shaqir would have to withdraw his trademark application.
Lawyer: Shaq Blocking Son’s trademark is business
While the legal filing may hint at friction in the O’Neal household, attorney Josh Gerben revealed that it’s actually more of an issue between the two management companies and less of a personal one.
“So how is this case likely to play out?” Gerben tweeted. “It should be resolved without a lawsuit. In fact, I’m shocked it’s gotten this far. There’s almost no excuse for two companies that Shaq is involved with to end up in a lawsuit against each other.”
Gerben added that “Shaqir now has 40 days (from July 15) to file his response.”
The case will most likely be settled out of court. Neither O’Neal man has made a public comment on the case Friday.
Shaq has never shied away from being himself in the press and even candidly admitted last year that his kids were “kind of mad at me” when he told them “we is not rich. I am rich.”
Shaq to his kids: “We’re not rich, I’m rich.”
To teach them work ethic. 💪
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) 27 October 2021
“My kids are older now. They’re kind of mad at me, not really mad, but they don’t understand. I tell them all the time, ‘We’re not rich. I’m rich.’”
The six-foot-7 forward looks set to follow in his father’s footsteps and eventually play in the NBA, and he probably doesn’t need his father’s financial assistance anyway.
What do you think, Roomies? Should Shaq joke about his son’s business affairs? Or does his management company have a case to block Shaqir’s trademark registration?