Utah Jazz (often referred to as simply “The Jazz”) is an American professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a part of the league’s Western Conference, Northwest Division.
Their team name seems unrelated to Salt Lake City where they play as the franchise originated in New Orleans as an expansion team in 1974. They were called the “New Orleans Jazz” – picked as part of a name-the-team contest that looked to honor the New Orleans heritage of creating jazz music. Just five years later in 1979, The Jazz moved from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Jazz didn’t have a successful start – not making the playoffs until 1984. However, the rise of two franchise players, John Stockton and Karl Malone helped contribute to The Jazz’s late 1980s success. The pair became one of the most famed pick-and-roll duos in NBA history. The Jazz didn’t miss the playoffs again from 1984 until 2004, partly thanks to new coach Jerry Sloan who took over in 1988 and helped make the team a powerhouse of the league. They reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 but lost both times to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
With Stockton and Malone leaving in 2003, the team hit a dip in success, missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. They didn’t have much success again until more recently when All-Star players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell helped The Jazz come back for title contention. In the 2021/22 season, they had the league’s best regular season record.
Famous Utah Jazz trademarks
Despite being known as the “New Orleans Jazz” for five years, the Utah Jazz didn’t start trademarking their assets until they moved and changed their team name. The franchise has filed for a whopping 47 trademarks, which is impressive considering they haven’t been the most successful NBA team. This shows they understand the importance of their intellectual property. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous Utah Jazz trademarks, registered by Jazz Basketball Investors, Inc.
Utah Jazz logo
The first thing that Utah Jazz filed for a trademark was their team logo in 1983. The Utah Jazz logo has only had two significant variations throughout its time. Originally, it featured the words “Jazz” written in large purple letters with the base of the “J” being a basketball and the line of the “J” looking like a musical note. “Utah” is written in smaller black letters above. This was the team logo until 1996.
The logo then changed to a circular badge with the Salt Lake City mountains in the background and “Utah” curving around the upper part of the badge. “Jazz” is then written boldly in front of the mountains and extends out of the circle. This design only changed in color from 1996 until 2016. The Jazz then went back to its original logo in 2016, only changing the color from purple to navy. The registration for their latest logo trademark applies to:
- Audio recordings and video recordings featuring entertainment and information in the field of basketball; audio discs, video discs, computer laser discs, pre-recorded audio and video cassettes, pre-recorded audio and video tapes, pre-recorded compact discs, pre-recorded computer laser discs, all featuring entertainment and information related to basketball; computer accessories, namely, pre-recorded flash drives, computer stands, mouse pads, mice, disc cases, computer carry-on cases, computer sleeves, keyboard wrist pads, all related to basketball; computer accessories, namely, blank flash drives; computer programs for viewing information, statistics or trivia about basketball; computer software, namely, screen savers featuring basketball themes; computer software to access and view computer wallpaper; computer browser software for use in viewing and displaying data on the Internet; computer skins, namely, fitted plastic film for covering and providing a scratch proof barrier for computer devices; computer game software; video game software, video game cartridges; radios, electronic audio speakers, headphones and ear buds, wireless telephones, telephones; cell phone accessories, namely, headsets, skins, face plates and cell phone covers; electronics accessories, namely, skins, covers and stands for MP3 players, electronic tablets and portable personal digital assistant devices; decorative switch plate covers, video monitors, computer monitors, binoculars; sunglasses; eyeglass frames; eyewear straps and chains; eyeglass and sunglass cases; magnets; disposable cameras; credit cards and pre-paid telephone calling cards magnetically encoded; downloadable video recordings, video stream recordings, and downloadable audio recordings in the field of basketball provided over the Internet; downloadable computer software for viewing databases of information, statistical information, trivia, polling information, and interactive polling in the field of basketball provided over the Internet; downloadable computer game software; downloadable interactive video games and downloadable trivia game software provided over the internet; downloadable computer software for use as screensavers and wallpaper, to access and display computer browsers, for use in viewing data on the Internet, for use in designing plastic film computer skins to protect computer monitors, for use in creating avatars for playing games and for use in remotely manipulating computer cursors over the Internet; downloadable electronic publications in the nature of magazines, newsletters, coloring books, game schedules all in the field of basketball provided over the Internet; downloadable catalogs provided over the Internet featuring an array of basketball-themed products; downloadable greeting cards provided over the Internet
- Jewelry; costume jewelry; beaded jewelry; rubber or silicon wristbands in the nature of a bracelet, beaded necklaces; beads for use in the manufacture of jewelry; earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, cuff links, pendants, charms for collar jewelry and bracelets; clocks; watches; watch bands and watch straps, watch cases, watch fobs; jewelry boxes, tie clips; medallions; non-monetary coins of precious metal; precious metals; key chains of precious metal; key chains as jewelry; figures and figurines of precious metal; trophies of precious metals
- Publications and printed matter, namely, basketball trading cards, trading cards, stickers, decals, temporary tattoo transfers, commemorative basketball stamps, collectible cardboard trading discs, memo boards, clipboards, paper coasters, post cards, place mats of paper, facial tissues, note cards, memo pads, note pads, ball point pens, crayons, felt tip markers, rubber bands, pens and pencils, pen and pencil cases, pen and paper holders, desktop document stands, scrap books, rubber stamps, drafting rulers, paper banners and flags, 3-ring binders, stationery folders, wirebound notebooks, portfolio notebooks, unmounted and mounted photographs, lithographs, art prints, posters, calendars, bumper stickers, book covers, bookmarks, wrapping paper, children’s activity books, children’s coloring books; statistical books, guide books, and reference books, all in the field of basketball; magazines in the field of basketball, catalogs in the field of basketball, commemorative game and souvenir programs related to basketball, paper pennants, stationery, stationery-type portfolios, invitation cards, printed certificates, greeting cards, Christmas cards, holiday cards, informational statistical sheets for basketball topics; newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, and game schedules in the field of basketball; bank checks, check book covers, check book holders, comic books; non-magnetically encoded credit cards, gift cards and telephone calling cards; money clips; printed tickets for sporting and entertainment events; collectible card holders and memorabilia holders in the nature of ticket holders, trading card holders
- Athletic bags, shoe bags for travel, overnight bags, umbrellas, backpacks, baby backpacks, knapsacks, duffel bags, tote bags, beach bags, beach tote bags, drawstring pouches, luggage, luggage tags, patio umbrellas, beach umbrellas, valises, attaché cases, billfolds, wallets, briefcases, canes, business card cases, book bags, all purpose sports bags, golf umbrellas, gym bags, purses, coin purses, fanny packs, waist packs, cosmetic cases sold empty, garment bags for travel, handbags, key cases, leather key chains, suitcases, toiletry cases sold empty, trunks for traveling and rucksacks, foot lockers, pet clothing, pet leashes, and pet collars
- Toy boxes and chests, pillows and seat cushions; portable and folding stadium seats and cushions; non-metal and non-leather key rings; non-metal and non-leather key chains, tags and fobs; picture frames; hand-held mirrors; roller shades for windows with suction cups; magazine caddies; wall plaques made of wood, wall plaques made of plastic; soft sculpture wall decorations; non-metal reusable bottle caps; wooden signboards, decorative mobiles; steel furniture; recliners, chairs, and stools; tables; portable and folding sports seats and stools; furniture; juvenile furniture; bedroom furniture; clothes hangers and coat hangers; non-metal trophy cups; bean bag chairs; non-metal coat racks; non-metal stands for holding and displaying various types of balls; plastic figurines; plastic pet identification tags; sleeping bags; wood boxes; furniture chests; plastic flags; plastic novelty license plates; plastic name badges; non-metal nameplates
- Beverage glassware, drinking glasses, shot glasses, mugs, and cups made of ceramic, earthenware, glass, and porcelain; beer mugs, drinking tumblers, plastic cups, wastepaper baskets, plastic water bottles sold empty, stainless steel water bottles sold empty, bowls, plates, beverage stirrers, jugs, decorative and commemorative plates, glass jars, grill covers, portable beverage coolers, coasters not of paper and not being of table linen, lunch boxes, bottle openers, salt and pepper shakers, drinking flasks, insulating sleeve holders for bottles, insulating sleeve holders for beverage cans, cookie tins, drinking straws, piggy banks, oven mitts
- Cloth banners, cloth wall hangings, cloth, and fabric pennants; bed, bath, and household linens, sheets, blankets, comforters, curtains, draperies, quilts, bedspreads, towels, pillowcases and shams, dish towels, golf towels, oven mitts, textile tablecloths and placemats, stadium blankets, throw blankets, cloth handkerchiefs, cloth flags, unfitted fabric furniture covers, shower curtains
- Clothing, namely, hosiery, footwear, basketball shoes, basketball sneakers, T-shirts, shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, pants, tank tops, jerseys, shorts, pajamas, sport shirts, rugby shirts, sweaters, belts, ties, nightshirts, hats, caps, visors, warm-up suits, warm-up pants, warm-up tops/shooting shirts, jackets, wind resistant jackets, parkas, coats, baby bibs not of paper, headbands, wrist bands, aprons, undergarments, boxer shorts, slacks, ear muffs, gloves, mittens, scarves, woven and knit shirts, jersey dresses, dresses, cheerleading dresses, and uniforms, swimwear, bathing suits, swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, swim trunks, bathing trunks, board shorts, wet suits, beach cover-ups, bathing suit cover-ups, bathing suit wraps, sandals, beach sandals, beach hats, sun visors, swim caps, bathing caps, novelty headwear with attached wigs
- Toys, games and sporting goods, namely, basketballs, golf balls, playground balls, sports balls, rubber action balls and foam action balls, plush balls for games, plastic balls for games, basketball nets, basketball backboards, miniature basketball backboards, pumps for inflating basketballs and needles therefore; golf clubs, golf bags, golf putters, golf accessories, namely, divot repair tools, tees, ball markers, golf bag covers, club head covers, golf gloves, golf ball sleeves, golf putting greens; billiard cue racks, billiard balls, billiard ball racks, dart board cabinets, electronic basketball table top games, basketball table top games, basketball board games, action skill games, adult’s and children’s party games, trivia information games and electronic video arcade game machines, basketball kit comprised of a net and whistle, dolls, decorative dolls, collectible dolls, toy action figures, bobblehead action figures, stuffed toys, plush toys, jigsaw puzzles, toy building blocks, Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas stockings; toy vehicles in the nature of cars, trucks, trains and vans, all containing basketball themes, novelty foam toys in the shapes of fingers and trophies, toy trophies, playing cards, card games, toy noisemakers, pet toys; beach toys, namely, beach balls, inflatable balls, toy pails, toy shovels, sand toys, sand box toys, water-squirting toys; pool accessories, namely, swim floats, pool floats, toy water rafts, foam floats, swim rings, pool rings, foam rings, body boards, surf boards, swim fins, surf fins, arm floats and water wing swim aids, all for recreational use; volleyball game kits comprised of ball, net, sidelines and whistle, and water polo game kits comprised of ball, net and whistle; decorative cloth wind socks; miniature stadium reproductions, namely, small toy plastic models of a stadium; snow globes; video game machines for use with television and video game hand held controllers for use with console video gaming systems; exercise treadmills; toy banks
- Retail store services, computerized online retail store services, online ordering services, electronic retail store services via computer, and electronic mail order catalog services, all featuring an array of basketball-themed merchandise; promoting the goods and services of others by arranging for sponsors to affiliate these goods and services with a basketball program; promoting the sale of goods and services of others through the distribution of promotional contests provided over the internet; conducting public opinion poll surveys and public opinion poll surveys in the field of basketball for non-business, non-marketing purposes over the internet
- Audio broadcasting; cable television broadcasting; radio broadcasting; subscription television broadcasting; television broadcasting; video broadcasting; web-casting services in the nature of providing on-line chat rooms and online interactive chat rooms with guests for transmission of messages among computer users concerning the field of basketball; broadcasting programs over the internet; providing on-line electronic bulletin boards for transmission of messages among computer users concerning the field of basketball; providing multiple-user access to a global computer information network for the purpose of participating in interactive polling in the field of basketball; wireless communications services, namely, the transmission of graphics to mobile telephones; wireless electronic transmission of voice signals, data, facsimiles, images, and information; wireless broadband communications services
- Entertainment and educational services in the nature of ongoing television and radio programs in the field of basketball and rendering live basketball games and basketball exhibitions; the production and distribution of radio and television shows featuring basketball games, basketball events and programs in the field of basketball; conducting and arranging basketball clinics and camps, coaches clinics and camps, dance team clinics and camps and basketball games; entertainment services in the nature of personal appearances by a costumed mascot or dance team at basketball games and exhibitions, clinics, camps, promotions, and other basketball- related events, special events and parties; fan club services; entertainment services, namely, providing a website featuring non-downloadable multimedia material in the nature of television highlights, interactive television highlights, video recordings, video stream recordings, interactive video highlight selections, radio programs, radio highlights, and audio recordings in the field of basketball; providing news and information in the nature of statistics and trivia in the field of basketball; on-line non-downloadable games, namely, computer games, video games, interactive video games, action skill games, arcade games, adults’ and children’s party games, board games, puzzles, and trivia games; electronic publishing services, namely, publication of magazines, guides, newsletters, coloring books, and game schedules of others on-line through the Internet, all in the field of basketball; providing an online computer database in the field of basketball
New Orleans Jazz
Despite only trademarking their assets after becoming Utah Jazz, the franchise filed for the “New Orleans Jazz” trademark in 2008 in order to create nostalgic merchandise. The trademark applies to:
- Clothing, namely, hosiery, footwear, basketball shoes, basketball sneakers, T-shirts, shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, pants, tank tops, jerseys, shorts, pajamas, sport shirts, rugby shirts, sweaters, belts, ties, nightshirts, hats, caps, visors, warm-up suits, warm-up pants, warm-up tops/shooting shirts, jackets, wind resistant jackets, parkas, coats, baby bibs not of paper, headbands, wrist bands, aprons, undergarments, boxer shorts, slacks, ear muffs, gloves, mittens, scarves, woven and knit shirts, jersey dresses, dresses, cheerleading dresses, and uniforms, swimwear, bathing suits, swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, swim trunks, bathing trunks, board shorts, wet suits, beach cover-ups, bathing suit cover-ups, bathing suit wraps, sandals, beach sandals, beach hats, sun visors, swim caps, bathing caps, novelty headwear with attached wigs
UJ Jazz Gaming
Jazz Gaming is the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Utah Jazz. They are one of 23 esports teams competing. Registration for the illustration, which features a “U” on an angle and a “J” wrapped around it with “Jazz Gaming” written underneath, was registered in 2021. It applies to:
- Downloadable computer software, namely, software featuring screen savers; computer software to access and view computer wallpaper; downloadable computer software used for accessing and displaying digital screensavers and wallpaper; downloadable electronic publications in the nature of game schedules
- Clothing, namely, footwear, T-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, hats, caps being headwear, jackets, sandals, beach sandals, beach hats, sun visors being headwear, novelty headwear with attached wigs; all of the foregoing in connection with the field of basketball, electronic games, electronic sports, and virtual sports
- Entertainment and educational services in the nature of arranging, organizing and conducting electronic game competitions, electronic game contests, electronic game tournaments, entertainment exhibitions in the field of electronic gaming, sports competitions, as well as entertainment tours, instructional electronic gaming clinics and other entertainment events composed of featuring electronic games athletes, electronic sports athletes, and virtual sports athletes, and also featuring interactive displays, participatory activities and contests as part of such events; the production and distribution of webcasts, social media-based programs and Internet shows featuring electronic game competitions, electronic game contests, electronic game tournaments, entertainment exhibitions, sports competitions, electronic gaming leagues, electronic gaming tours, electronic gaming clinics and other electronic gaming events; providing a web-based system and online portal for customers to participate in on-line electronic games; operation and coordination of tournaments, leagues and tours for recreational and competitive purposes; production and distribution of webcasts, podcasts, blogs-based programs, social media-based programs and Internet shows featuring news highlights, video recordings and video stream recordings of electronic game contests, electronic game tournaments, entertainment exhibitions, sports competitions, electronic gaming leagues, electronic gaming tours, electronic gaming clinics and other electronic gaming events; providing online news, information, and strategic commentary in the fields of basketball, electronic games, electronic sports and virtual sports and strategy; providing online news and information in the nature of statistics and trivia in the fields of basketball, electronic games, electronic sports and virtual sports; conducting and arranging leagues, instructional clinics and camps in the fields of basketball, electronic games, electronic sports and virtual sports; online non-downloadable software for providing tracking of users of on-line interactive electronic gaming, electronic sports and virtual sports services and matching on-line game players with other players of all skill levels; fan clubs services; on-line non-downloadable electronic games, namely, computer games, electronic games, video games, interactive computer games, interactive electronic games, interactive video games, providing an online computer database featuring information in the field of basketball, electronic games, electronic sports and virtual sports; entertainment services, namely, providing non-downloadable electronic game services, video game services, and computer game services in the form of non-downloadable software on-line from a computer network; all of the foregoing in the field of basketball, electronic games, electronic sports and virtual sports
Wrapping up
Since Utah Jazz left New Orleans in 1979, they’ve kept their new name, and hardly changed their logo or even team colors. However, despite this and their moderate success, they’ve done well to register for 47 trademarks. They clearly recognize the importance of protecting their assets and the filings are very thorough in what they want trademarking.
However, though this is impressive, the team has mostly only trademarked their team name, logo variations, and the new UJ Jazz Gaming esports team. Utah Jazz is well known for its “Jazz Bear” mascot that has represented the team since 1994 and notoriously rides around the arena on a motorbike at halftime. However, the mascot has not been trademarked. Utah Jazz has done better than most teams to protect their IP and assets, potentially saving themselves millions in legal battles down the line, but they could always be doing more, especially as the franchise has a value of roughly $2 billion.
