Dallas Mavericks basketball star Luka Dončić took on the best in the game, but his most recent opponent is arguably his most formidable: his own mother, Mirjam Poterbin.
Last week, Dončić filed a “Petition to Cancel” against a trademark of his name currently owned by his mother. Dončić is a three-time all-star guard and 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year. According to court documents, he wants Poterbin to transfer ownership of “LUKA DONCIC 7” back to him.
How did she come to own his trademark in the first place?
Growing up as a basketball prodigy in Slovenia, Dončić has played the game at an elite level since he was just 16. At the time, according to court records, “he relied on his mother… to provide help and guidance for his — business opportunities in court.” This assistance included filing several applications for his trademark.
Now 23 years old, Dončić, who recently signed a $215 million deal with the Mavs, wants full rights to all of his trademarks.
“I have a lot to look forward to as I continue to grow as a player and a person, and it’s important for me to master my own brand and focus on giving back to my communities,” Dončić said in a statement. The Stein line.
In a match with his mother
Poterbin, 46, is a former model with more than 55,000 followers on Instagram. She has publicly praised her son, calling him “my favorite player,” “my pride.” But now she has refused to return the rights to her son’s name.
That decision prompted Dončić to take legal action, claiming that he revoked her rights to his name in 2021 and that she “waived” any right to it because she does not sell goods related to the trademark.
“This is the better legal claim because U.S. trademark law requires ‘actual commercial use’ of a trademark to maintain a trademark registration,” Tweeted US trademark attorney Scott Gerben.
“I expect that Luka will ultimately prevail in this matter.”
