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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and NBA legend George Gervin both face initial trademark rejections from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) over the nickname “Iceman,” according to federal filings and legal analysis, according to the sources. The trademark disputes highlight a clash between athlete branding and prior commercial registrations held by an Oregon-based footwear company.
The USPTO Rejections and LaCrosse Footwear’s Prior Claim
LaCrosse holds the trademark for “Iceman” covering a specific line of insulated boots and boot liners. Because Williams applied for trademarks across multiple categories, including clothing, the USPTO issued a broad refusal.
The USPTO noted in its refusal letters that the marks are identical in appearance, sound, and meaning. On the same day Williams’ application faced pushback, the agency also issued an initial refusal to Gervin’s attempt to trademark “Iceman 44” due to the same LaCrosse product line.
Caleb Williams Versus George Gervin Trademark Priority
Beyond the hurdle posed by the footwear brand, Williams and Gervin could face a direct legal conflict over who holds priority for the nickname. According to Gerben’s analysis published by ESPN, if both athletes successfully overcome the initial rejections by arguing no likelihood of confusion with boots, Gervin’s application would likely still face denial because Williams filed his paperwork first.
Because the United States operates on a first-to-use trademark system rather than a pure first-to-file framework, Gervin would need to formally oppose Williams’ mark or file a lawsuit to assert priority based on historical use. However, trademark applications require proof of active and continuous use in commerce. Public records and Gervin’s own filings indicate a lack of active commercial use for clothing items carrying the brand in recent decades, according to legal reviews of the filings.
FAQ
- Why did the USPTO reject Caleb Williams’ trademark application? The USPTO issued an initial refusal because LaCrosse Footwear already owns an active trademark for “Iceman” covering insulated boots and boot liners, creating a potential commercial overlap with apparel.
- Did George Gervin attempt to trademark the nickname first? No. Caleb Williams filed his trademark applications first, prompting Gervin to submit subsequent filings after learning of the quarterback’s actions.
- What is a first-to-use trademark system? Under United States law, trademark priority often goes to the party that first used the term continuously in commerce, meaning prior historical use can sometimes override a first-to-file application if properly proven and defended.