Pepperdine University’s attempt to block Netflix from releasing its new series Running Point has been denied by a federal judge. The university sought a temporary restraining order, claiming the show’s basketball team resembled its own trademarked “Waves” program.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Valenzuela ruled against Pepperdine’s request, allowing Netflix to proceed with the planned release of Running Point on Thursday. The university had filed the lawsuit against Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery the previous week, accusing the companies of trademark infringement.
Pepperdine argued that the fictional basketball team in the series bore an uncanny resemblance to its own brand, including the use of similar colors, logos, and even their location in Los Angeles. They also pointed out the show’s fictional team name, “LA Waves,” which the university claimed was too close to its own “Waves” athletics program.
In response, Sean Burnett, Pepperdine’s Senior VP, expressed concerns over the alleged misappropriation of the university’s trademarked identity. “Netflix continues to promote Running Point, a series that misappropriates our name, colors, and even the year we were founded,” Burnett said, citing the harm caused to the university’s reputation and intellectual property.
However, Judge Valenzuela disagreed, stating that the similarities did not mislead consumers regarding the source of the show. She pointed out that the show’s title credits clearly identified Netflix, Warner Bros., and Mindy Kaling as the creators, which helped differentiate the fictional “LA Waves” from Pepperdine’s real-life program.
The Running Point basketball team, named the “LA Waves,” is meant to evoke the branding of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to the show’s creators. Intellectual property lawyer Jonathan Hyman noted that while the ruling does not negate the importance of trademark rights, it may make it more difficult for trademark owners to challenge uses in films and TV series.
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