English Premier League files Crypto and NFT trademarks

The English Premier League (EPL) has filed two cryptocurrency and NFT trademarks in the United States, a sign that the world’s most watched sports league is preparing to expand its brand to the digital scene.

The trademarks were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last week and were brought out in a tweet by licensed trademark attorney Michael Kondoudis on June 6.

The Premier League is the top level in professional English football, and consists of 20 teams.

The two registrations concern the United States’ use of trademarks related to the league, one centered on the league’s name and logo of a “lion carrying a crown in three-quarter sight” and the other regarding a “loving cup trophy” adorned with lions on each handle and a crown on top.

The trademark registrations are extensive in scope, and cover the creation and sale of digital assets, virtual clothing, cryptocurrencies and media files verified by NFTs. They also include the use of Premier League trademarks in “virtual, augmented and mixed reality software.”

An NFT is a digital resource that represents the ownership of media, often digital illustrations, profile pictures or music. They are embossed on public blockchains such as Ethereum or Solana, and each token is unique.

The market for NFTs has grown in recent years as more companies throw their hats into the ring. One of the most notable NFT projects in the sports world is the NBA Top Shot, launched in 2020. The collection recently passed over $ 1 billion in sales, according to CryptoSlam.

While demand for cryptocurrencies and NFTs has cooled in light of a recent decline in the total crypto market, NFT sales are still at pace to exceed $ 20 billion in volume recorded last year. The site has been a growing area for celebrities, artists and cultural icons to connect with fans and cultivate a sense of community online.

The use of digital currencies is becoming increasingly common throughout the sports world, especially among football clubs. Last month, Arsenal announced a partnership with Unagi as part of their free games where player cards can be purchased as NFTs.

The game allows users to keep playing cards as collectibles, sell them on an open currency market in the game or exchange the cards with other players. For football fans, it could be a sign of what the future holds for the Premier League.

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