Slayer_X
07-16-2016, 07:14 AM
Former WWE star Cody Rhodes posted the following on Twitter, seemingly in response to some sort of letter he's received (obviously from WWE) about his usage of his ring name:
While Rhodes never used the name before being signed to WWE developmental, obviously both his father and brother used the "Rhodes" surname for many, many years before Cody's professional debut.
Rhodes is being advertised for all upcoming independent events by that name. It should be noted, however, that t-shirts being sold by Rhodes' www.ProWrestlingTees.com store only utilize his first name.
WWE filed a trademark on the name "Cody Rhodes" on 6/6/07, listing the first date of use as 7/2/07, the date of Rhodes' Raw debut. The trademark is still active and notes "The name "CODY RHODES" does not identify a living individual." Prior to his Raw debut, Rhodes wrestled under his given name, Cody Runnells, in then-WWE developmental Ohio Valley Wrestling.
Unless Rhodes can show that he has used the name professionally prior to his debut on Raw, legally, WWE may indeed be able to lay claim to ownership. Whether the company should claim it, morally, is another story.
While Rhodes never used the name before being signed to WWE developmental, obviously both his father and brother used the "Rhodes" surname for many, many years before Cody's professional debut.
Rhodes is being advertised for all upcoming independent events by that name. It should be noted, however, that t-shirts being sold by Rhodes' www.ProWrestlingTees.com store only utilize his first name.
WWE filed a trademark on the name "Cody Rhodes" on 6/6/07, listing the first date of use as 7/2/07, the date of Rhodes' Raw debut. The trademark is still active and notes "The name "CODY RHODES" does not identify a living individual." Prior to his Raw debut, Rhodes wrestled under his given name, Cody Runnells, in then-WWE developmental Ohio Valley Wrestling.
Unless Rhodes can show that he has used the name professionally prior to his debut on Raw, legally, WWE may indeed be able to lay claim to ownership. Whether the company should claim it, morally, is another story.