Johnny Gaudreau files trademark on "Johnny Hockey™"

[aemoreira1981]

Johnny Gaudreau really should have filed for a word mark trademark and not just his image and likeness. A word mark trademark may not make money now, but with John and Johnny being common names, it could down the line. All that needs to be done then is to market some clothes at least annually to maintain the trademark.

 

[Number8]

So, I'm unclear here. Trademarking the name is hard (in some people's minds) to distinguish from calling himself the name, and solely because of this fact it's not ok for him to trademark the name even if it is the only way to stop people getting carried away with the name. So even though you agree that downplaying the name is the right way to go, you can't quite get your head around the fact that the steps that he needed to take in order to do that sounded at first glance like he was doing the opposite.

Let's just say I think you're grasping at straws at this point. Credit to you for going down swinging, though.

Nah, we just see things differently. Just as you think there are flaws in my take, I feel similarly about what you've laid out above.

At the end of the day, I think he seems like a nice kid and I wish him well in his hockey career. I think he'd have been better off avoiding the whole "Johnny Hockey" issue, but that's just me.

You and I have had a civil discussion -- at least you didn't call me a polish sausage.

 

[Number8]

Please explain in detail exactly what you would do to avoid that moniker and distance yourself from it. Short of quitting hockey completely and telling fans to **** off, in the world of twitter and social media I very much doubt you would be able to disassociate yourself as easily as you think. If you were in John's shoes you'd have 2 choices; either trademark it so you can control it, or simply ignore it and watch your reputation be tarnished as it's plastered all over cyberspace and beyond in a manner you cannot control.

How about say "Some fans call me that, and it's all in good fun. While, I appreciate their support I don't consider myself Johnny Hockey -- I'm just a guy playing a game I love and enjoying it."

As to his reputation being tarnished???? I thought it was fans who called him that? How exactly would someone use the moniker in a way that would tarnish his name? Particularly if he made the statement above. He certainly doesn't have to quit hockey.

I'm sure Richard Nixon hated the moniker "Tricky Dick" -- and I mean truly hated it. That said, I would sincerely doubt he ever thought about trademarking it to avoid someone misusing it or to otherwise "control" the name.

 

[Anglesmith]

At the end of the day, I think he seems like a nice kid and I wish him well in his hockey career. I think he'd have been better off avoiding the whole "Johnny Hockey" issue, but that's just me.

Do you remember that part of LOTR TTT where Theodin says he doesn't want to have his people go to war right now, and Aragorn's all like "open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not"?

This is like that. There are times in life when taking no action has as many or more consequences than taking an action. The name is already in play. By not making this move, he allows it to be used flagrantly and without any content control. No action would have consequences in this case.

 

[Nolanitis]

not sure why, but there have been a lot of Johnny hockeys already, and surely more to come.

 

[Toxic0n]

Time for you to cash in. Ask for $50k.

If you actually ask for money or appear as if you are trying to sell it for profit, the twitter username will be gone even faster. But you might as well give up on it now, Twitter will has an easy process for trademark takedown/takeover requests especially if the account is not used often.
I think once Johnny Hockey's (ugh I hate even typing this, what a pompous *********) agent focuses on the social media aspect of this, you can kiss your account good bye. Does not matter if you had it first or even if it's your real name.

 

[Classicnamesup]

Seems like a solid idea. If he becomes a star he can market to American fans and Flames fans.

Good luck JH

 

[King In The North]

How about say "Some fans call me that, and it's all in good fun. While, I appreciate their support I don't consider myself Johnny Hockey -- I'm just a guy playing a game I love and enjoying it."

As to his reputation being tarnished???? I thought it was fans who called him that? How exactly would someone use the moniker in a way that would tarnish his name? Particularly if he made the statement above. He certainly doesn't have to quit hockey.

I'm sure Richard Nixon hated the moniker "Tricky Dick" -- and I mean truly hated it. That said, I would sincerely doubt he ever thought about trademarking it to avoid someone misusing it or to otherwise "control" the name.

You know from an Agent standpoint that makes no sense right? If Calgary fans want apparel with the term "Johnny Hockey" on it why should third parties get all the profit? I'd fire my agent for something like that.

[Mod]

 

[Toxic0n]

Do you remember that part of LOTR TTT where Theodin says he doesn't want to have his people go to war right now, and Aragorn's all like "open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not"?

This is like that. There are times in life when taking no action has as many or more consequences than taking an action. The name is already in play. By not making this move, he allows it to be used flagrantly and without any content control. No action would have consequences in this case.

Are you seriously using LOTR to make a point? You do know none of the stuff in the books/movies actually happened, right?

Can you explain how "his" nickname would be used "flagrantly"?

This is an arrogant cash grab, pure and simple. No need to get so defensive over it.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Maybe it's a good move.... but I think it highly unlikely that the name "Johnny Hockey" is a ever a big deal outside of Calgary or Boston College.

That's your opinion. And it obviously differs from the opinion of those who get paid a lot of money to make these decisions.

If it were me, a young hockey player in College or in the NHL I would avoid the moniker "Johnny Hockey" like the plague and disassociate myself from it. That's just me though, obviously.

If the kid continues to play as well as he is, he's going to make more money than he ever dreamed of.

But should that stop him from trying to make as much money as possible for him and his family now? There are no guarantees in life. He could get hurt, the league could lock out again. He's got a small window to make enough money to secure his future and his family's future.

If he doesn't continue to play as well as he is, no one is ever going to get rich off Johnny Hockey brand nor blame the kid if others use it in a disparaging way.

I fail to see the risk here.

 

[DanZ]

Nah, we just see things differently. Just as you think there are flaws in my take, I feel similarly about what you've laid out above.

At the end of the day, I think he seems like a nice kid and I wish him well in his hockey career. I think he'd have been better off avoiding the whole "Johnny Hockey" issue, but that's just me.

You and I have had a civil discussion -- at least you didn't call me a polish sausage.

Except you haven't even brought up a legitimate flaw in Gaudreau's decision. There are literally no flaws. The only risk is that he loses the money it costs to file for a trademark.

People are gunna refer to a player however they want. It doesn't matter what the player does. Gretzky, Howe, Ovechkin, and Hasek all had trademarks on their nicknames. Are they arrogant too? Or do you have to reach a certain level of fame before it's no longer considered being full of yourself?

It's protecting your interests.

Are you seriously using LOTR to make a point? You do know none of the stuff in the books/movies actually happened, right?

Can you explain how "his" nickname would be used "flagrantly"?

This is an arrogant cash grab, pure and simple. No need to get so defensive over it.

What exactly is arrogant about it? How is protecting your interests arrogant in any way? It says nothing about what he thinks of himself, what he thinks he'll be, or what he thinks he's done.

This is hating on a guy because he has a name worth protecting, pure and simple.

 

[Toxic0n]

What exactly is arrogant about it? How is protecting your interests arrogant in any way? It says nothing about what he thinks of himself, what he thinks he'll be, or what he thinks he's done.

This is hating on a guy because he has a name worth protecting, pure and simple.

Really? Perpetuating and commercializing an arrogant nickname says nothing about what he thinks of himself? Please.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Really? Perpetuating and commercializing an arrogant nickname says nothing about what he thinks of himself? Please.

Really. I take it you don't understand how business works.

 

[Anglesmith]

Are you seriously using LOTR to make a point? You do know none of the stuff in the books/movies actually happened, right?

Sorry, I will go back to debating in a solemn and dignified manner and never assuming anyone else might have a sense of humour.

Can you explain how "his" nickname would be used "flagrantly"?

This is an arrogant cash grab, pure and simple. No need to get so defensive over it.

Johnny's quote on the matter was posted earlier in the thread:

“There are things out there I didn’t necessarily want to be associated with. My agent thought it was best to proceed this way.”

To put it plainly, this move is to make sure nothing is sold to make money off the "Johnny Hockey" nickname which involves things he doesn't actually want himself associated with.

And again, I don't know what's more arrogant: making a smart move to protect yourself financially and as a brand, or thinking you're going to hit the big time so hard that you don't need to worry about such petty matters.

 

[Snakepit]

Saw Johnny's interview today. He said he did it because his agent saw some "Johnny Hockey" merchandise that he didn't think Johnny should be associated with. (paraphrasing) something like that.

Certainly makes it seem less arrogant.

So... ho can anyone have a problem with this? He's a humble kid who's good at hockey, just protecting his image by not allowing anyone else from profiting off it. How some of you are managing to spin that into a negative thing really boggles my mind

 

[T1K]

Smart move. Why do some of you care if he does this? It isn't arrogant, it's just a savvy business move.

 

[Anglesmith]

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...ey-trademark-backlash-surprises-gaudreau-camp

There's literally nothing negative in Gaudreau's or his agent's motives here, and the fact that people continually seem to want to attach "arrogance" to him because of this speaks to those people simply being out to get him.

 

[Number8]

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...ey-trademark-backlash-surprises-gaudreau-camp

There's literally nothing negative in Gaudreau's or his agent's motives here, and the fact that people continually seem to want to attach "arrogance" to him because of this speaks to those people simply being out to get him.

"My agent thought at the beginning of the summer it’d be a cool idea,†said Gaudreau, 21.

 

[The Kingslayer]

wow...

 

[Anglesmith]

"My agent thought at the beginning of the summer it’d be a cool idea,†said Gaudreau, 21.

K. So his agent thought something was a cool idea, then he and Gaudreau talked, and they didn't pursue it. What do you think that means about what Gaudreau ultimately thought about it?

 

[DanZ]

Really? Perpetuating and commercializing an arrogant nickname says nothing about what he thinks of himself? Please.

Actually he hasn't done either of those things yet. He simply trademarked it. You think Mr. Hockey is arrogant? The Great One? Great Eight? The Dominator? Those are all registered trademarks. So every athlete that trademarks a nickname to make some extra cash is an arrogant ******* in your mind? You must live in a sad world.

 

[Snakepit]

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...ey-trademark-backlash-surprises-gaudreau-camp

There's literally nothing negative in Gaudreau's or his agent's motives here, and the fact that people continually seem to want to attach "arrogance" to him because of this speaks to those people simply being out to get him.

That's nothing new

 

[DanZ]

"My agent thought at the beginning of the summer it’d be a cool idea,†said Gaudreau, 21.

And?

 

[StoveTopStauffer]

OH LAWD someone with lots money is investing their money how they want. OH LAWDY, what's wrong with kids these days!

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

"My agent thought at the beginning of the summer it’d be a cool idea,†said Gaudreau, 21.

Sounds like you got Johnny fever.

In any case, I wouldn't be surprised if this whole scenario went down something like this:

Agent: Hey Johnny, how's about we trademark your nick name.

JG: No thanks, that nick name business is pretty silly.

Agent wants to earn maximum commission, knowing the potential lost revenue from not trademarking. He puts together a scheme using his connections to create and distribute a crude T-shirt design "Johnny *** Hockey" through a 3rd party.

Agent: See Johnny, this is why I wanted to get this trademark, to protect you.

JG: Well, if its to protect me, I guess that makes sense.

*Agents eyeballs roll into dollar signs as the sound of a cash register plays*

That would be quite the scheme, and well done at that.