Overview
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a nonfinal refusal this week after an examining attorney said Williams' applied-for word mark is identical in appearance, sound and meaning to LaCrosse Footwear’s 1988 “Iceman” registration for insulated boots.
- Williams filed his word-mark application on March 16 to cover clothing, athletic bags, water bottles, sporting goods, a website and entertainment services while a separate Iceman logo application remains under initial review.
- The refusal is not final and Williams has roughly three months to reply or request an extension; his legal options include narrowing the list of goods, arguing LaCrosse’s registration covers a narrow product line, or seeking cancellation of LaCrosse’s mark for nonuse.
- Other athletes have competing filings: George Gervin filed for “Iceman” and “Iceman 44” days after Williams and said the USPTO action helps his bid, and Chuck Liddell holds a related earlier application that remains under review.
- The dispute matters commercially because trademark control would affect merchandise, endorsements and licensing for a rising star, and trademark lawyers note initial refusals are common but Williams could still secure some categories or prevail on appeal by showing limited overlap with LaCrosse’s boots.