Chrome's owners to file trademark
In what appears to be an initial step to cash in on what could potentially be the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years, the owners of California Chrome have filed to trademark the horse's name.
Records with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, and their wives, who make up the horse's ownership entity of Dumb Ass Partners, filed for the trademark Thursday, just two days before California Chrome won the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
The owners hope to trademark the phrase on athletic apparel including "shirts, pants, jackets, footwear, hats and caps." The filing shows that California Chrome gear was first sold in April 2013.
.
.
.
Over the next couple of weeks, California Chrome's owners could set up contingency licensing deals that would allow companies to immediately start selling Triple Crown gear should he win.
No merchandising plan was more intricate than the deals set up for Big Brown, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008. Many apparel and collectible deals were structured ahead of the Belmont, though they were all undone when the horse not only didn't win, but didn't even finish the race after pulling up early.
After I'll Have Another's Triple Crown bid was halted when the horse was pulled the day before the Belmont in 2012, thousands of shirts at the racetrack with the horse's name on it became worthless.
Entire article:
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/tri...ornia-chrome-owners-file-trademark-horse-name
http://allpro2.stores.yahoo.net/cach.html
Louisville company pulling for California Chrome to win the Preakness
A local merchandising company is hoping after this weekend, there is still a chance that California Chrome will be the first Triple Crown winner in horse racing since Affirmed in 1978.
Louisville-based All Pro Championships Inc. reached a licensing agreement Wednesday with the owners of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, Perry Martin and Steve Coburn.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ben Erps, president of All Pro Championships, said his company will sell hats for $34 and T-shirts for $25 with California Chrome's image at this weekend's Preakness Stakes, the second leg in the Triple Crown. He said the company will be selling the items at booths at the Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.
And if California Chrome — the heavy favorite at 3-5 in its opening-line odds — wins the race, Erps, said the company will launch a website for the horse at AllProChamps.com where people can buy the merchandise.
All Pro Championships produces merchandise for the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup, among other organizations and events.
Entire article: http://www.bizjournals.com/louisvil...le-company-pulling-for-california-chrome.html
