Louisville, Kentucky: Lamar Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, finds himself in a trademark dispute with Dale Earnhardt Jr. over the No. 8 that has become synonymous with both of their brands.
Jackson, known for his “Era 8” brand, is challenging Earnhardt Jr.’s pending trademark claim of a stylized No. 8 used for his JR Motorsports race team. Jackson’s attorneys recently filed a notice of opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, arguing that Earnhardt Jr.’s claim would conflict with Jackson’s brand that covers a variety of products, including bags and clothing items.
The dispute stems from the font style of the No. 8, with Jackson specifically pointing towards a font used by Earnhardt Jr. that could lead consumers to mistakenly believe there is a connection between the two individuals. This disagreement could take some time to resolve, but recent developments suggest a potential resolution in the works.
Earnhardt Jr. announced through his social media channels that he has secured the rights to the classic No. 8 style he used in the early 2000s, indicating he will be moving away from the font style under contention from Jackson. Earnhardt Jr.’s association with the No. 8 dates back to the late 1990s when he raced for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., his father’s race team, following the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr.
After a series of events led to Earnhardt Jr. transitioning to Hendrick Motorsports and later to the No. 88, he recently reclaimed the rights to his original No. 8. Teresa Earnhardt, his stepmother, previously held onto the trademark rights but let them expire last year, opening the door for Earnhardt Jr. to reclaim his iconic number.
While the specific No. 8 font associated with Earnhardt Jr.’s late model races is not being contested by Jackson, the stylized font in question could potentially lead to confusion among consumers. Jackson’s legal filing argues that granting Earnhardt Jr. exclusive rights to that font could create a false suggestion of a connection between the two parties.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben initially reported on this dispute, shedding light on the ongoing battle over the No. 8 between Lamar Jackson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. As developments continue to unfold, both parties may be on their way to finding a resolution that satisfies all involved.