Laila Ali, the daughter of the late boxing legend Muhammad Ali, is now in a legal battle with Authentic Brands Group (ABG) after the retired boxer filed to trademark her name, as reported by AfroTech.
After her boxing career, Laila Ali started multiple business ventures to establish and expand her lifestyle brand.
Through Laila Ali Lifestyle, she has released cookbooks, nutrition and skin care products, apparel, home decor, and more. And over the last 10 years, she’s created a multimillion-dollar empire. In order to secure her legacy, Ali wanted to trademark her name.
ABG, a brand development, marketing and entertainment company, owns Ali’s father’s trademark and likeness after he sold the rights of both to them back in 2006 for $50 million, according to attorney Josh Gerben. The company has now filed a notice of opposition to halt Ali from registering her name.
An unexpected trademark fight has broken out between a legendary boxer and his daughter.
The company that owns Muhammad Ali’s trademarks is opposing an attempt by his daughter to register her name, Laila Ali.
Why on earth is this happening? #MuhammadAli
[1/8] pic.twitter.com/k6LMFfOuvv
— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) October 3, 2022
As reported by Black Enterprise, on July 15, ABG filed a similar notice of opposition against NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal‘s son, Shaqir O’Neal, successfully preventing him from trademarking his name and likeness.
In Ali’s case, ABG has cited “likelihood of confusion,” “false connection,” and “dilution by tarnishment,” as the reasons for the company’s opposition.
Ali can be held up significantly if the notice of opposition goes through full litigation. As AfroTech reports, it can take up to two years for a resolution.
