As the NHL recently announced the “official” name of the 31st league franchise as the Golden Knights, many are shocked to hear that the name or trademark name Vegas Golden Knights might be in question.

It is reported that the  that the United States Trademark and Patent Office has denied the Golden Knights’ trademark request.

Owner Bill Foley’s Black Knights Entertainment filed the request for clothing and “entertainment services, namely, professional ice hockey exhibitions,” which was rejected due to similarities with The College of Saint Rose Golden Knights.

In this particular situation the marks share the common wording of “GOLDEN KNIGHTS,” and the additional wording does not change the overall commercial impression of the marks.

The wording “THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE” in the registrant’s mark is presented in such a manner that consumers encountering the mark are likely to read it as a tagline; consumers will focus on the wording “GOLDEN KNIGHTS.”

In conversations with local sports individuals in the area they are simply surprised that Black Knight Entertainment made the announcement of the team’s name, logo and colors while waiting for a pending trademark request.

The group still has the opportunity to challenge the denial or refusal of the name by submitting evidence showing how the logo is different.

Not too surprising that we are hearing that the Vegas Golden Knights responded to the ruling by stating “countless college and pro teams share names.”

It’s interesting that this now surfaces as some simply dislike the name, thinking that there were so many other possibilities considering it’s Vegas!

Let’s also remember that this is the N.H.L’s first expansion team since the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild were added in 2000.