Sports agency linked to LeBron James sues Klutch Cannabis in trademark case
Klutch Sports Group is taking Klutch Cannabis to federal court in a trademark infringement lawsuit, kicking off a legal battle over branding between the two Northeast Ohio companies.
The sports group filed the complaint on March 16, accusing Klutch Cannabis of copying the Klutch Sports Group branding and creating consumer confusion. Both companies use the Klutch name, black and gold colors and have a "nearly identical" logo and font, the suit claims.
Klutch Cannabis is accused of trademark infringement, unfair competition, counterfeiting and other federal and state violations for allegedly profiting off the Klutch Sports Group name.
"Klutch Sports is aware of numerous examples of consumers and members of the public, both general consumers, as well as members of the sports and entertainment industry, who have been confused into wrongly believing that Klutch Cannabis and its goods and services originate from, are made by, authorized by, sponsored by, approved by, connected to, affiliated with, or associated with Klutch Sports," the lawsuit read.
Klutch Sports asked for a jury trial and an unspecified amount in damages and compensation from Klutch Cannabis, which should rebrand and destroy all Klutch merchandise. A spokesperson for Klutch Cannabis declined to comment.
Attorneys Angela Gott, Lauryn Robinson and James von der Heydt represent Klutch Sports Group. No attorney is listed for Klutch Cannabis, which has not yet filed a response to the complaint.
Northern Ohio District Judge J. Philip Calabrese presides over the case.
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What to know about the two companies?
Although the two companies are in different industries, they were founded in the same geographic region and compete for clothing sales.
Klutch Sports Group is a management agency for athletes, representing famous names like LeBron James. It launched a clothing line in 2020. Founded in 2012, it has an international reach with lucrative partnerships.
Klutch Cannabis is a cannabis company founded in 2020 in Akron. It has at least six dispensaries in Northeast Ohio and also sells apparel with the Klutch name. Akron City Council approved a Klutch dispensary on West Market Street near Ken Stewart's Grille.
Both companies share the Klutch name and often use black and gold branding on signs and apparel, according to the lawsuit. Klutch Sports Group described the Klutch Cannabis font as "virtually identical" to the sports group's font.
Among Klutch Sports' arguments is that it registered its trademarks three years before Klutch Cannabis and had used the Klutch name eight years before the dispensary. The sports group also argued that it has six pending federal trademark applications, writing in the complaint that its brand has international appeal.
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How does LeBron James fit into this?
James, who is not a party to the lawsuit and did not file the lawsuit against Klutch Cannabis, is referenced multiple times in the complaint.
James, also known as "King James," was among Klutch Sports' first clients and has represented the sports group since 2012. He is often associated with a crown; The Lebron James Family Foundation uses a five-pointed crown as its logo.
Although largely unmentioned in the lawsuit, Klutch Cannabis uses a three-pointed crown in its branding. The lawsuit does not allege that Klutch Cannabis copied James' own branding, but it explained how athletes and sports celebrities sometimes invest in, own or endorse cannabis brands.
Klutch Sports Group cautioned that market overlap between sports and cannabis could create consumer confusion.
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The sports group cited multiple examples, including incidents in which callers to Klutch Sports believed the two Klutch companies were connected.
Bryce Buyakie is an Akron-based reporter who covers the courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Klutch Sports Group sues Akron's Klutch Cannabis in trademark lawsuit