It’s not hard to argue that the deer head affixed to bottles of Jägermeister is one of the most recognized logos in the drinking scene, but when the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks retooled logo last year, someone failed to point out the new design’s similarities to the famous beverage. Jägermeister sure didn’t miss the resemblance though and late last week filed an opposition with an appeal board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Jägermeister is arguing that it “has established exclusive rights in the DEER HEAD Marks through use in commerce in the United States” since 1968 and that there is a likelihood that people could confuse the Bucks logo with their own or believe there to be some connection between to the brands.
The motion made by Jägermeister is merely a statement of concern and does not force the Bucks to remove traces of the logo or stop using it even, and it may turn out to be only a formality. ESPN is reporting that Jägermeister is working with the NBA team to come to an agreement that would see the Bucks logo remain as is.
Free Jäger for Bucks fans? One could only wish.
