trademarks?

[Marc the Smark]

Are the names of the wrestling moves "trademarked," or do you think it'd be okay if I used one in the name of my website?

[Rob]

Depends on what move it is but generally you can use them.

[Marc the Smark]

I'm thinking of something with "suplex" or "moonsault"

[DaveWadding]

the only thing that MIGHT be trademarked is something like Stone Cold Stunner or Rock Bottom etc.

[Xero]

Anything branded is trademarked. Like Dave said, "Stone Cold Stunner", "Rock Bottom", "Diamond Cutter", etc. would be the only ones that are trademarked. I believe anything on shirts are as well, such as "Twist of Fate".

Generic names, like "suplex", "jaw breaker", "clothesline", etc., are fine.

[Iceman90]

Is there a place that lists all the WWE trademarks?

[KayfabeMan]

None of the moves basic names are trademarked.

As everyone said above, the only things that would come close are specialized names like the ones they mentioned above (or ex. "The Million Dollar Dream") - but piledriver, suplex, moonsault, bodyslam, dropkick, etc.. are all free from trademarks and can be used safely. :y:

[Iceman90]

I don't think that is true.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=tess&state=rpeap9.1.1 Go to that link, and type in some wrestler names or move names and see what comes up.

I am pretty sure the WWE would trademark every name. I mean, if they didn't that would mean NWA TNA could also have a guy named The Rock.

Also, think back to when guys get released. When Sean Waltman was released, he was given the rights to use Syxx-Pac. Thus, WWE owned that name's trademark (through WCW), and released it to him. That is why he can't be called X-Pac. James Gibson is the same way I believe.

However, guys like Raven own their own name, and so can use it after they leave WWE, but can not use, or gain revenue from, any likenesses or merchendise produced by the WWE while under contract without an agreement from both parties.

I'm playing EWR, and trying to figure out who on my TNA roster I can re-name (BG James can be renamed Road Dogg as it has expired, where as X-Pac has not.)

[KayfabeMan]

No doubt about it that they cover the names of the guys, I meant the simple names of maneuvers. A few guys own their own trademark on their names, like Chris Jericho and others. When I said 'basic names', I meant move names, not the guys. :lol:

They can't trademark - for example - "dropkick" on it's own in the sense of describing the move, because it's a word used to describe a move that everyone has a right to use (both the word and the move).

They could however make it a proper name, like "Dudley Dropkick" and trademark that. There no exclusive right to the word "dropkick" is made, but rather the phrase "Dudley Dropkick". Same way if you trademark "TPWW Championship Wrestling", you're not allowed to trademark the words 'championship' or 'wrestling' on their own (though you can for other things, but it's detailed and I don't have patience), but rather the whole phrase/proper name with TPWW included.

[Iceman90]

Yes, what KayfabeMan said.