Judge Rejects Pepperdine's Attempt to Block Netflix's 'Running Point' Premiere

Pepperdine University had filed a trademark lawsuit over alleged similarities between the fictional basketball team and its own branding, but a federal judge ruled against a temporary restraining order.

• Netflix's new series 'Running Point,' created by Mindy Kaling, debuts today after a judge denied Pepperdine University's request for a temporary restraining order.
• Pepperdine claimed the fictional Los Angeles Waves basketball team in the show infringes on its trademarked branding, including its team name, colors, and mascot.
• The university also objected to the show's portrayal of substance use, profanity, and other themes it deemed inconsistent with its Christian values.
• Netflix argued the show's basketball team was inspired by the Lakers and Southern California culture, not Pepperdine, and noted that 'hundreds of wave-related marks exist.'
• The judge ruled that the show's use of the Waves branding does not explicitly mislead consumers about its connection to Pepperdine, allowing the series to proceed as planned.

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