The English Premier League is filing two trademarks to stake a claim the metaverse with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
One of the most viewed leagues worldwide, the EPL is the top-level European football league, hosting competitive games between the twenty best teams in England.
Trademark attorney Michael Kondoudis shared news of the league’s trademark filing via Twitter on June 6. Included in the application are the English Premier League’s name, “loving cup trophy” logo and “lion head” logo. According to the US patent and trademark office, the trademark filing application they received on June 1 meets all the organization’s requirements.
The English Premier League’s trademark filings indicate it likely plans to expand into digital asset trading, NFT minting, cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, as well as digital trading cards, digital art and other Web3 collectibles. In addition, it seems likely that the EPL will venture into the digital clothing and sportswear market.
“The Premier League is regularly watched by more than a billion people, so the value attached to the brand is substantial,” said Kondoudis. “These filings represent a logical step to protect the brand in today’s economy, which includes virtual and crypto elements, and tomorrow’s virtual economy in the metaverse.”
Sports in the Metaverse
Likewise, FIFA – the international governing body of association football – also filed a similar trademark. English Premier League champion team Manchester City is developing a soccer stadium in the metaverse in partnership with Sony’s VR experts. Additionally, the team is partnering with GAMEE to bring various football-themed titles to its play-to-earn gaming platform.
“We expect the number of trademark filings from the professional sports sector for crypto and virtual products and services to increase in the next 12 months as brands come to appreciate the need for protection in the Metaverse,” Kondoudis added.
In similar news, Volt games raised $1.5 million in funding for its fully interoperable sports metaverse earlier this year. Likewise, Everdome partnered with Alfa Romeo to bring Formula 1 to the metaverse.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
