Major League Baseball is putting the screws to little leaguers who play under the names of the big league teams. How ridiculous is that? Essentially, MLB is telling uniform makers that not only are the big league logos trademarked, but the actual team names, as well. Which means, if the little leaguers wanted to use the name “Red Sox,” for instance, it would be required to pay a licensing fee to MLB. Not only that, they would be required to buy their uniforms from the big league team’s “official” supplier.
So, gone are the days of community baseball where local sponsors support local kids enjoying the great American pastime. Gone also are the kids who grow-up standing in the shoes of baseball greats like Mantle, Ruth, DiMaggio and Gehrig.
I suppose I can understand MLB’s point-of-view. After all, who wants a kid to establish an affinity with a specific major league team? Who needs a life-long fan?
Obviously, MLB doesn’t! They should be ashamed of themselves!
I would be interested to see how lawsuits such as these, brought against the innocent, will affect MLB’s antitrust exemption? The big league should tread lightly, as I have warned before, baseball stands to loose a great deal more than licensing fees should Congress decide that baseball is, in reality, a multi-billion dollar industry and not just a game.
Tags: antitrust, baseball, little league baseball, major league baseball, MLB, trademark infringement
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