When Logos and Licenses Go to Court

This week’s stories spotlight two legal battles where big brands are drawing sharp lines — one over a famous logo, the other over the meaning of a “subscription.” The Yankees are fighting to protect their IP, while Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney face a surprising courtroom loss to Dish Network.

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ChaseLawyers Newsletter
December 30, 2025

Hi there,

In this week’s newsletter, we’re looking at how technicalities — in both trademark and contract law — are shaping big outcomes in entertainment.

The New York Yankees are in a trademark fight with a cannabis apparel company whose logo allegedly resembles the team's iconic emblem. The case, now before the Federal Circuit, underscores how far major brands will go to protect the visual elements that define them.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery and ESPN are reeling after a court sided with Dish Network in a dispute over short-term streaming passes. The problem? Their contracts never clearly defined what counts as a “subscription” — and now Dish can keep offering one-day and weekend passes that undercut traditional streaming models.

Yankees Fight to Block Cannabis Brand’s Trademark

The Yankees are challenging a cannabis apparel seller’s trademark application, claiming the proposed logo closely mimics their famous design. The team argues the mark would confuse consumers and dilute the strength of their brand.

The case has made it to the Federal Circuit, with legal observers watching closely. It’s a clear reminder that iconic sports teams guard their branding just as fiercely as any media giant — especially in new industries like cannabis.

Dish TV Wins Round Two Over “Subscription” Definitions

A federal judge ruled that Dish Network’s Sling TV can keep offering day and weekend streaming passes — despite lawsuits from Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. The reason? The term “subscription” wasn’t clearly defined in the contracts.

Studios argued these short-term passes undermine their licensing model, but the court found no language requiring subscriptions to be monthly or recurring. The case may shift how future streaming deals are written — and how platforms price access.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Yankees Defend ‘Iconic’ Logo Against Cannabis Apparel Seller

A trademark dispute has reached the Federal Circuit after the Yankees objected to a cannabis seller’s logo they say closely resembles their own.

What’s a “Subscription?” Warner Bros. Discovery and ESPN Find Out the Hard Way

A judge ruled Dish can continue offering $4.99 one-day passes, saying studio contracts never defined what a “subscription” must be.

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Barry Chase, Esq. is an honors graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and the founding partner of ChaseLawyers®. In addition to his entertainment attorney legal practice, Mr. Chase lectures regularly on the representation of media personalities, the legal “do’s and don’ts” of music, television, and film production, and the intricacies of film rights option agreements.

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