Federal judge denies NCAA's restraining order request to make DraftKings stop using 'March Madness'
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- A federal judge denied the NCAA's request for a temporary restraining order to stop DraftKings from using trademarks like "March Madness," "Final Four," "Elite Eight," and "Sweet Sixteen" in promoting its business.
- The NCAA filed a trademark infringement complaint last week, arguing that DraftKings' use of these terms causes customer confusion and implies NCAA endorsement of gambling.
- Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled the NCAA did not demonstrate that DraftKings' use would cause irreparable harm but noted the possibility of future injunctions after further discovery.
- DraftKings has used these NCAA-related terms for over five years and claims it has the legal right to do so, denying any affiliation with the NCAA.
- The NCAA maintains it seeks to avoid any appearance of association with gambling and continues to pursue its claims against DraftKings.
