An upcoming Netflix series infringes on trademarks and branding for Pepperdine University and its basketball program, the California school associated with Churches of Christ alleges in a federal lawsuit.
The fictional basketball team of streaming TV series “Running Point” features the same name, Waves, and other elements similar to that of Pepperdine, the suit states.
“Without our permission, Netflix continues to promote Running Point, a new series that has misappropriated our trademarked name, the Waves, our colors, blue and orange, our hometown of Los Angeles, and even the year we were founded as an institution,” Pepperdine said in a statement.
“Given this flagrant disregard for our intellectual property and the damage to our institutional identity, together with Netflix’s and Warner Bros.’ continued refusal to resolve Pepperdine’s concerns, we believe it necessary to seek court intervention.”
The university added that it had tried and failed to resolve the dispute privately with the media companies.
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you can elect to receive “Days of Fire and Glory: The Rise and Fall of a Charismatic Community” by Julia Duin, click here.
The complaint, filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, outlines concerns that the Netflix show will cause confusion between the fictional and real teams and portray a false affiliation with Pepperdine.
The university believes such an association would be damaging, given “elements that are inconsistent with Pepperdine’s Christian values and reputation,” including explicit content, substance use, nudity and profanity.
The show, created by Mindy Kaling and starring Kate Hudson, carries a TV-MA rating.
Netflix and Warner Brothers have not publicly responded to the complaint, news outlets have reported.
A judge for the U.S. District Court of Central California declined Pepperdine’s request for a temporary injunction that would have prevented Netflix from premiering “Running Point” on Feb. 27.
This article originally appeared at The Christian Chronicle.
Calvin Cockrell is the media editor for The Christian Chronicle. He also serves as the young adults minister for the North Tuscaloosa Church of Christ in Alabama.
English 
Spanish 