A previous New York Jets individual filed a lawsuit against the group, the NFL, and NFL Properties on Monday, alleging they were using his logo design without payment and were violating his promotion rights through a business picture.
William” Jim” Pons worked for the Jet in the 1970s as film and video producer, where he says he helped to produce in- home game pictures. Pons claims he was informed that the Jets were looking into innovative logo designs for the 1978-themed time and were getting requests for ideas from exterior designers. Pons drew his own request and tossed his hat in the band using what he had learned in a visual arts course. Pons stresses his logo design “was not part of the opportunity” of his work or the company’s information, but rather a project he undertook on his own initiative.

The Jets picked Pons ‘ style and used it from 1978 to 1997. During that span, Freeman McNeil, Al Toon and another significant Jet players donned Pons ‘ design.
But as Pons tells it, they did so while the crew acted fraudulently.
Pons claims that the Jets requested to update a 1972 trademark registration in 1978 so that it adopted Pons ‘ style. Pons claims that the Jets made this move without his knowledge or consent.
Fast forward to 2022 when Pons says the NFL, on behalf of the Jets, filed a mark software to record his style. The app covered several clothing, including hats, hats and shirts. Pons claimed that the program erroneously states that the design was used in business since 1970. Pons contends that the logo’s invention eight years later makes no timeframe sense. However, the Trademark Office registered the level.
Pons claims that the Jets just sent a film crew to his Florida residence to discuss his significant contribution to Jets ‘ branding history but not paid him for the use of his NIL. This only makes things worse. The Jet included the appointment in the” The Story Behind the Jets Sack Exchange Era Logo” on April 24 in a website article. Pons stresses he did n’t sign a release for the video, which as of this writing can still be watched online.
Pons ‘ problem contains claims for unfair enhancement, misappropriation, right of promotion violation and trademark cancellation. He claims that the plaintiffs have “unlawfully made hundreds of millions of dollars” since 2023 through registration, advertising, and product sales while using his style and ideas without authorization. Last Friday, New York Knicks sued the Toronto Raptors in NBA mediation, and Pons ‘ event has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke.
The Jets may respond to the problem and ask for its dismissal, according to the NFL’s attorneys, which declined to comment to Sportico about the case.
There are several good defenses.
Anticipate the NFL and Jets to dispute Pons ‘ reported allegations. The problem, which is an advocacy doc and no natural, features many assertions that might be challenged as inaccurate, misleading or exaggerative.

Pons may have long ago made his objections to a now 46-year-old pattern, the league and the team contend, and that any relevant statutes of limitation time would have prevented his claims. By highlighting recent developments ( such as the new trademark application and website have ), Pons and his Goldberg Cohen LLP attorneys appear to have anticipated that line of defense.
It’s also probable that as part of Pons ‘ work, he lawfully assented to the Jets owning his work works. Additionally, the Jets might say they gained what in trademark law is often called a” store right” in Pons ‘ work. The Jets may argue that they were given an implied license to use Pons ‘ design work because, according to them, he created the logo as part of his job and with team resources. Pons ‘ issue clearly emphasizes that creating his emblem was not a part of his job, which would indicate that the Jets are unable to use it under any circumstances.
As to the video, the Jets will probably argue Pons may possess known the team would use it for people- facing purposes, and, by no objecting to the interview, he implied consent. The team might also argue that the First Amendment protects discussions about Pons ‘ part in Jets record and that his role in the team’s history is significant. Pons may refute this and claim that he was misled regarding the interview’s purpose.
While Pons v. NFL et cetera. money in court, the Jets ‘ 2024 period is set to begin. On July 18, newbies are expected to arrive for training camp, with veterans expected by July 23.