NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has reportedly won a court battle against the unauthorized use of his trademark, name and likeness on merchandise sold on etsy.com, redbubble.com and other online platforms.
According to the news report, last Wednesday, a federal magistrate in New York ordered Sherrie Richardson-Miller and Jordan Reyes to pay the Milwaukee Bucks superstar his attorneys’ fees and other costs.
"In July, Antetokounmpo was awarded an injunction to stop the sale of these products, which featured references to “Greek Freak” and “Greek Fr34K.” The injunction came as part of a default judgment, meaning the defendants hadn’t contested the lawsuit.
"In his ruling, Judge James Cott explained why Antetokounmpo’s IP rights were violated and why the defendants should pay $11,304.40.
"Antetokounmpo owns the federally registered “Greek Freak” trademark and has licensed his NIL for endorsed products. Some of those products, Judge Cott observed, resemble unauthorized ones sold by the defendants. Consumers could be confused as to which ones Antetokounmpo actually endorses. In citing case law involving Marilyn Monroe’s estate, the judge stressed that celebrities have the legal right to combat the misappropriation of their drawing power."
