The Phillies are a US-based professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in MLB (Major League Baseball) as a National League’s East division member. Since 2004, the team has played its home games at Citizen Bank Park, South Philadelphia’s Sports Complex. The Phillies have the oldest continuous same name and city franchise in American sports history.
Since the first World Series was played in 1903, the Phillies played 77 seasons consecutively and 97 from establishment before winning the first World Series. The Phillies won two World Series championships against the Kansas City Royals in 1980 and the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
They’ve also won seven National League Pennants, first in 1915.
They’re one of the first successful franchises in Major League Baseball since the beginning of the Divisional Era. The Phillies have won several division titles, including five consecutive titles from 2007 to 2011. They’re ranked sixth among all teams and fourth in the National League.
The franchise began in Philadelphia in 1883, replacing a team from Worcester, Massachusetts, in the NL. The team played several stadiums in the city, beginning in Recreation Park and continuing in Shine Park, Baker Bowl, Veterans Stadium, and now Citizens Bank Park.
From 1883 to 2021, the Phillies’ overall record is 9,935–11,112 (.472). Despite their reputation and excellent fan base, they’re not without failure. They are the first American sports franchise to amass over 10,000 losses. The team has the dubious title of the most recorded losses by a single franchise in any professional sport. The team has only won two World Series titles, and they’re the last of the original sixteen MLB teams to win a World Series. In 2019, the Phillies signed a deal with Bryce Harper for a 13-year $330 million contract and a talented roster, hoping to win the World Series again.
Famous Philadelphia Phillies trademarks
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the last original baseball teams; they have a loyal fanbase, unique history, and over a century of experience. You’d expect them to have a fair bit of intellectual property, but only a handful of trademark registrations are listed with the USPTO. Let’s look at the most well-known registrations by The Phillies.
Phillies logo
The first Phillies logo consists of the word “Phillies” in a stylized font. The logo was first used in 1969 and was registered in 1971 for use in:
- Baseball exhibitions live in stadiums or via radio and TV broadcasts
Related: Trademarking a logo
Phillies
Following its first use in 1883, the “Phillies” wordmark was registered in 1989 for use in several categories, including:
- Bumper stickers, decals, pens, pencils, paperweights, notepads, marker pens, calendars, book covers, coloring books, playing cards, postcards, and other paper goods and printed matter
- Shirts, dresses, vests, jerseys, hosiery, wristbands, sweatshirts, raincoats, visors, caps, bibs, infant wear, and other clothing
Phillie Phanatic
One of the best-known Phillies trademarks is the Phillie Phanatic. The Phanatic was first seen in the late 70s and has become one of the most loved baseball mascots. The mascot is known for playing pranks on the team and fans, including antics such as shooting hotdogs into the crowd. The mark consists of a costumed character wearing a baseball uniform depicting the word “Phillies” The mark is a two-dimensional depiction of a three-dimensional costumed character. The trademark was officially registered in 2009 for use in:
- Clothing, namely, shirts and infant wear
- Temporary tattoos, printed baseball game programs, magazines, books, pens, pencils, art prints, and other paper goods and printed matter
- Entertainment services related to live appearances and performances by a costumed mascot
- Social, cultural, charitable, and educational events
- Providing recreational play areas for children
- Fan club and entertainment services
- Providing a reading program designed to motivate children to read
- Providing online newsletters in the field of sports
- Entertainment services include a website featuring baseball news, information, and downloadable wallpaper
- Stuffed toys, toy figures, bobblehead dolls, baseballs, baseball bats, and other sporting goods and toys
P
The “P” design mark is one of the simplest trademarks owned by the Phillies, consisting of just a stylized “P”. It was first registered in 1980, and the trademark has been expanded several times since; the trademark now covers:
- Baseball exhibitions and games, in stadiums and broadcasted on TV and radio
- Baseball caps
- Shirts, caps, visors, hats, ties, sweatpants, money belts, headbands, robes, knitted headwear, and other clothing
- Trading cards, posters, decals, temporary tattoos, bumper stickers, books, magazines, newsletters, paper coasters, tablecloths, napkins, and other paper goods and printed matter
Philadelphia Phillies
Following its first use in 1883, the Philadelphia Phillies team name was registered for use in 1988. Like other teams, the team name has been placed under trademark protection. It’s trademarked for use in:
- Entertainment services, including baseball games and exhibitions
Power Tickets
Power Tickets represent the Phillies’ E-ticket services. The trademark was registered in 2009 for use in:
- Electronic ticketing services that add stored value on tickets to entertainment, sporting, and cultural events, which can be used to purchase food, beverages, souvenirs, and general consumer goods at such events
Philadelphia Phillies bell logo
The Philadelphia Phillies bell logo consists of the “Phillies” name over an artist’s depiction of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is an important part of American history in Philadelphia. The trademark was first registered in 1994 for use in:
- Metal items including key chains, key tags, and money clips
- Wristwatches, lapel pins, ornamental pendants, charms, and other watches and jewelry
- Trophies of non-precious metal
- Baseball cards, note paper, coloring books, metal bulletin boards, decals, paperweights, printed matter, and other paper goods
- Rucksacks, athletic bags, baby backpacks, duffel bags, bill folds, knapsacks, and other bags
- Pet leashes
- Water bottles, steins, thermally insulated containers, drinking glasses, and other beverage containers
- Shirts, dresses, underwear, jackets, wristbands, headbands, robes, scarves, aprons, and other clothing
- Stuffed animals, board games, Christmas toys, and other toys
- Christmas tree ornaments and decorations
- Kickboards, batting tees, baseball equipment, swimming aids, and other sporting goods
- Hand-held video game machines and cartridges
- Decorative wind socks
- Entertainment services related to baseball exhibitions
Ill
The “Ill” trademark was registered in 2016; the design mark consists of the word “ill” in a stylized font, with a star above the “i.” The trademark was registered for use in:
- Clothing: headwear, shirts, socks, hosiery, and all the previous relating to baseball or softball or a baseball or softball team, league, mascot, or stadium
Phlls
The newest trademark application was submitted to the trademark office in 2021; if approved, the trademark for “Phlls” will apply to:
- Headwear, shirts, sweaters, scarves, hosiery, mittens, vests, sweaters, wristbands, and other clothing
Wrapping up
Trademarking your brand is vital, as competitors can unfairly use your brand and profit from your hard work if you don’t register your unique branding.
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the oldest teams, so you’d expect them to have a variety of trademark filings, but this isn’t the case. The Phillies have trademarked a variety of logos and slogans, primarily for goods and services such as merchandise, toys, and sporting goods. They have also submitted trademark applications to cover their mascot, e-ticket service, and the Liberty Bell logo, but there are still only around 30 trademarks, including active applications.
