Lawyers for New York Jets QB Tim Tebow send cease and desist letter to t-shirt manufacturer
New York Jets quarterback, Tim Tebow has had his name caught in another merchandising issue as his lawyers sent a cease and desist order to t-shirt manufacturer, CubbyTees.com for illegally using the quarterback’s name for selling their merchandise.
The bone of contention for Tebow’s lawyers is a t-shirt with “My Jesus” written on a background which closely resembles the New York Jets team logo.
Tebow’s lawyers contend that the company is illegally using the star’s name on its website to promote the product and they will start court proceedings if the use of Tebow’s name is not immediately stopped.
The sales pitch next to the t-shirt is the main issue for the lawyers as it references Tebow and the Jets to promote the product.
"This fun design is not officially endorsed by New York's backup quarterback or the Son of God, but plays off the themes of Tebow's faith and his new team - borrowing from the J-E-T-S to promote J-E-S-U-S, with a fish for a football, and "MY" replacing "NY"
with a color scheme that will be familiar to Jets fans."
TMZ.com first reported this story.
According to the letter leaked to TMZ the lawyers contended that Tebow’s name has a value when used to market products.
"As I am sure you are aware, Mr. Tebow's name, voice, likeness and identity have a substantial value when used for the purposes of advertising, marketing, promoting or endorsing products or services, and/or when he serves as a spokesperson,"
This is not the only merchandising controversy involving Tebow’s name to hit the news.
Earlier in March apparel giant Reebok whose deal with the National Football League (NFL) to make jerseys for all 32 teams was reaching expiry had launched a line of Tim Tebow replica jerseys as soon as the trade between the Denver Broncos and the Jets was
confirmed.
Nike who had taken the contract from the NFL to manufacture the jerseys sued Reebok.
CubbyTees.com on its part were surprised when they received the letter from Tebow’s attorney and company official, Kevin Doolan in an email to the Associated Press has stated that they would not comply with the demands since the t-shirt design is “legally
sound”.
More developments over this case are expected in the coming days.
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