Pamela Deese Discusses ‘Famous Jameis’ Trademark with Bloomberg News

Intellectual Property partner Pamela Deese was quoted by Bloomberg News after an Alabama Crimson Tide football fan applied to trademark the phrase “Famous Jameis,” a nickname attached to Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, considered by many the favorite to win this year’s Heisman Trophy.

Bloomberg reported that the Alabama fan “filed the trademark request on Oct. 24, according to the US Patent and Trademark Office website” and in a subsequent interview the fan indicated he would be open to a partnership with the Florida State quarterback.

Ms. Deese told Bloomberg that Mr. Winston probably would be awarded the trademark if he moved to register it. “We would hope the examiner is savvy enough to recognize that Famous Jameis refers to the potential Heisman Trophy winner,” said Ms. Deese, whose clients include Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin. “You can’t register a trademark for somebody else’s name without their permission, which is what happened with Jeremy.”

Ms. Deese added that it is incumbent on Mr. Winston to move quickly on the trademark: “The longer you wait the more costly it gets.”

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