Intellectual Property….a Cornhole issue?
The World Trade Organization defines Intellectual property rights as the rights given to persons over the creations of their minds. They usually give the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creation for a certain period of time. For the last 2 years most of the top 3 bag and board companies have denied orders with any images that can be construed as violating any such policy. The reason? They have more to lose than you or I do. Lawyers will not be coming for us, but for the companies that produce the materials and some of these companies already have licensing deals with the NCAA and NFL.
The game is growing!! It has gotten massive exposure throughout the pandemic because other sports were forced to shutdown which allowed prime time airing on ESPN and CBS to get more eyes on the game. But is the game becoming a mainstream sport? Will it be able to gain more than a 2 share on a Saturday or Sunday night? Will it ever get to the level of American Gladiators or SlamBall?
The reason for this line of questioning is, as the spotlight shines brighter on this “bean bag” game we love, will more of Hollywood and television take notice? But what I truly mean is the other side of Hollywood ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS! When will they take notice of people using their IP and Trademarks? Most of you are saying, “well I changed the color or I blurred the image.” To them IP is IP and the bags you love or your logo may be an infringement and your cease and desist will be in the mail. Coming after us small fish would get them pennies and coming after someone who produces bags by thousands for the masses can provide hundred of thousands of dollars.
Will a Cornhole company land the biggest prize of IP? Who will get a Disney sized check and the contract to be able to use every IP they own? We are talking major franchises and characters. That could lead to a huge truckload of cash. Think about it Star Wars, The Muppets, Marvel, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pixar, Winnie the Pooh, Indian Jones, and all those Disney’s Princesses? This would also catapult, whichever company lands this, to the King’s seat of Cornhole companies. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
-Donny “The Voice”
