By DAN KARELL
There finally looks to be a resolution to the trademarked rights of the Cascadia Cup.
The Cascadia Cup Council, made up of leaders from the supporters groups of the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps, announced that they had come to an agreement in principle with Major League Soccer on the issue of the Cascadia Cup trademarks.
While the deal has not yet been ratified, the two sides agreed that the Council will own the name, logo, and likeness of the trophy, among other details, and that neither the supporters groups nor MLS can use the Cascadia Cup for sponsorship purposes without unanimous agreement.
The Cascadia Cup was founded in 2004 by fans of the three teams in the Pacific Northwest, all of whom were at the time playing in the lower divisions of U.S. Soccer. Last January, MLS attempted to register a U.S. federal trademark to the Cascadia Cup, upsetting fans of the clubs involved and in response, they came together to form form the Cascadia Cup Council to try and file the trademark under their name.
The agreement comes at the perfect time, as another Cascadia Cup showdown between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Seattle Sounders highlights Saturday’s MLS action. So far this season, after two matches played by each team, the Sounders lead the Cup standings with four points.
What do you think of this news? Do you agree with the decision? Do you believe MLS should have full rights to the name, trophy, and likeness instead?
Share your thoughts below.