Lamar Jackson has officially withdrawn his trademark lawsuit against Hall of Famer Troy Aikman concerning the use of the number 8 on merchandise. After a year-long legal dispute, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback ended the challenge, removing any obstacles related to his trademark claims.
Details Behind the Trademark Lawsuit Withdrawal
Following Jackson’s decision to drop the case, Troy Aikman took to social media to mock the lawsuit. Posting on his Instagram story, Aikman expressed his opinion that the legal challenge never had a solid foundation.
“From day one, this lawsuit had no merit, a fact underscored by its with-prejudice withdrawal,” Aikman wrote.
Meanwhile, Aikman and his company, FL101, had recently filed nine trademark applications concerning the number 8 for merchandise. Brad D. Rose, Aikman’s attorney, provided insight into the lawsuit’s withdrawal in a statement to ESPN.
“The withdrawal of Mr. Jackson’s oppositions was voluntarily done by Mr. Jackson in the wake of some TTAB decisions that have gone against him,” Rose wrote in his statement. “In my view, these ‘with prejudice withdrawals’ are an acknowledgement that Mr. Jackson’s claims were an overreach and should never have been brought in the first place.”
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben added that because the lawsuit was withdrawn with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. However, he remained uncertain if there was some private agreement reached between Jackson and Aikman’s representatives outside of the proceedings.
Lamar Jackson’s Preparation for the Upcoming NFL Season
On the football front, Lamar Jackson is focusing on his eighth season with the Baltimore Ravens. Since being drafted in 2018, Jackson has been a key player in guiding the team to six playoff appearances.
In the previous season, the Ravens secured the AFC North title with a 12-5 record but were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson had an outstanding year with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
The Ravens recently began their preseason campaign with a 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Their next preseason game is scheduled on August 16 at AT&T Stadium, where they will face the Dallas Cowboys. Jackson was rested in the first preseason game, leaving questions about how much playing time he will receive moving forward.
Implications of the Trademark Case Ending
The conclusion of this trademark dispute clears the way for both Lamar Jackson and Troy Aikman to fully market merchandise featuring the number 8 without interruption. For Jackson, ending the suit removes a distraction as he leads his team into the new <a href=”https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL season. The legal resolution signals a close to a contentious off-field issue, allowing fans and athletes alike to focus on their performance on the field.