Overview
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued non‑final refusals on Dec. 29 for the A’s applications to register “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.”
- Examiners found the marks primarily geographically descriptive and said “Athletics” lacks distinctiveness for the listed goods and services.
- The applications remain live, and MLB can respond or seek extensions within the USPTO’s statutory timelines before pursuing appeals if needed.
- Prior registrations for Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland versions of the name do not control the outcome because each application is judged on its own merits.
- A separate application for “Las Vegas A’s” entered publication Dec. 10 and could proceed on Jan. 16 if unopposed, as the team plays in Sacramento and targets a 2028 Las Vegas stadium opening.