The Columbus Blue Jackets is an American Professional Ice Hockey Team based in Columbus, Ohio. They play in the National Hockey League Eastern Conference (NHL). The Blue Jackets joined the NGL alongside a fellow expansion team, the Minnesota Wild. The franchise’s nickname was chosen in a name-the-team contest, paying homage to those who died in service in the American Civil War.
The Blue Jackets’ first seasons ended in last-place divisional finishes. A highlight arrived in 2002 when the team drafted future All-Star Rick Nash with the first overall selection of the NHL draft. Nash helped Columbus escape the divisional cellar in the 2003-4 season; the team qualified for its first postseason with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, and subsequent Blue Jacket squads have fallen down the NHL ranks.
Before the 2007-8 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired a replica 1857 Napoleon cannon that is now wheeled out before each game and when they score a goal or win a game.
Columbus began in the Western Conference but moved to the Eastern Conference in the 2012-13 season. They qualified for the playoffs in their first season in the Eastern Conference; they won the first two postseason games in franchise history but lost their open series to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team then went two seasons without a postseason berth before earning 108 points in 2016, a franchise record. However, they won only one game before being eliminated.
In 2019 the Blue Jackets were the lowest scoring team in the conference; they had a first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning team and tied an NHL record that season. The Blue Jackets won the first postseason in franchise history and beat the Lighting in several games, but they couldn’t maintain this streak and ultimately lost to the Boston Bruins.
The team’s primary mascot is a 6ft 9 green mascot named Stinger; however, during the 2010-2011 season, they had a cannon mascot called Boomer.
While they have a checkered history, they still maintain a recognizable brand and a strong fanbase.
Famous Columbus Blue Jacket trademarks
The Columbus Blues was founded in 2000 as an expansion team. They aren’t the most impressive NHL team, but they have a decent fan base. They’ve amassed some intellectual property in their 20+ year history; let’s take a look at some of the most recognizable Columbus Blue trademarks registered by Colhoc Limited Partnership.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets trademark was the first trademark application submitted to the USPTO. The trademark filing was approved in 2001 for use in:
- Wristbands, boxer shorts, vests, socks, shoes, sweatpants, and other clothing
- Entertainment services like professional hockey exhibitions
Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets wordmark was also registered in 2001. It’s often used for clothing and merchandise and was registered for use in:
- Boxer shorts, vests, sweatpants, hoodies, wristbands, and other clothing
- Entertainment services related to professional hockey exhibitions
Stinger
The Blue Jackets mascot is Stinger, a 6ft 9 green insect with the number ’00’ on his shirt (representing the year the Blue Jackets were founded). Stinger’s appearance was trademarked in 2002 for use in:
- Computer mouse pads and accessories
- Decals, newsletters, and pamphlets related to ice hockey
- Printed souvenir event programs
- Key cases
- Drinking glasses
- Textile infant clothing, polo shirts, jerseys, hockey uniforms, sweatshirts, T-shirts, wristbands, and other clothing
- Hockey sticks, hockey pucks, action figures, plush toys, and other toys and sporting goods
- Entertainment services, namely, ice hockey games and exhibitions, and entertainment services in the nature of a team mascot for ice hockey games and exhibitions
Street Jackets
The ‘Street Jackets’ wordmark was registered in 2003 following its first use in 1999. It was registered in the following categories:
- Organizing and administering community-based street hockey programs and competitions for youths
CBJ
The Columbus Blue Jackets initials (CBJ) have also been trademarked. Following its first use in 1997, the trademark application was approved in 2014 for use in:
- Entertainment services, namely, professional hockey exhibitions
- Headbands, jerseys, sweatshirts, shirts, T-shirts, wristbands, jackets, leotards, and other clothing
Team logo
The Columbus Blue Jackets team logo consists of a star design, with the US flag wrapped around it, in a shooting star formation. The logo has been in use since 2003 and is registered for use in:
- Action figures, plush toys, sports toys, Christmas tree decorations, suction cup animal toys, and other toys
- Entertainment services related to professional hockey exhibitions
- Clothing: caps, cloth bibs, hats, jackets, jerseys, shorts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, and warm-up suits
Cap logo
The Columbus Cap logo consists of a black cap in the center of a design flanked by two stars surrounded by the words “Columbus Blue Jackets'” The trademark application was submitted in 2021 and applies to the following categories:
- Caps, hats, jerseys, sweatshirts, T-shirts, polo shirts, ties
- Entertainment services related to professional sports exhibitions
- Action figures, plush toys, sports toys, Christmas tree decorations, suction cup animal toys, and other toys
Cannon logo
The cannon logo is similar to the cap logo. The cannon logo consists of a cannon surrounded by a ribbon, a star design, and the words “Columbus Blue Jackets”. The logo was trademarked in 2010 and applies to the following categories:
- Boxer shorts, caps, coats, gloves, hats, jerseys, nightshirts, pajamas, scarves, shirts, shorts, socks, sweaters, sweatpants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, toques, warm-up suits, and wristbands
- Entertainment services related to professional sports exhibitions
We are the 5th line
“We are the 5th line” was registered in 2015. It’s often seen on fan merchandise, and marketing materials and the trademark was registered for use in:
- Entertainment services related to ice hockey games and other sports events
- Boxer shorts, caps, coats, gloves, hats, jerseys, nightshirts, pajamas, scarves, shirts, shorts, socks, sweaters, sweatpants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, toques, warm-up suits, and wristbands
5th line
The wordmark “5th line” was registered in 2018, and is registered for use in:
- Clothing including caps, coats, gloves, hats, nightshirts, etc.
- Entertainment services related to ice hockey games and other events
Carry The Flag
The wordmark “carry the flag” was registered in 2021, the application is currently pending, but if approved, it’ll apply to the following:
- Entertainment services, namely, professional ice hockey exhibitions
CBJ logo
The CBJ logo consists of “CBJ” in a stylized font with a star at the top of the design. Following its first use in 2000, the trademark was registered in 2001 for use in:
- Entertainment services, particularly related to ice hockey games
- Clothing: boxer shorts, caps, coats, gloves, hats, hosiery, jackets, jerseys, mittens, pants, raincoats, rainwear, scarves, shirts, shorts, socks, sun visors, sweatpants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, ties, toques, warm-up suits
Related: Trademarking a logo, step by step
Wrapping up
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a unique team with plenty of cool theatrics, such as the cannon. Their pitch value mostly comes from the entertainment they can provide for their fanbases. The Columbus Blue Jackets are worth around $450 million.
They haven’t got as much intellectual property as some other teams, with only around 20 registered trademarks. They could further protect their brand by registering more logos, team colors, or popular slogans. They could also register their secondary mascot, Boomer.
