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Yesterday — 18 March 2026Main stream

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.

New business: Klutch Cannabis fills northern Summit County void with dispensary neighboring MGM racino

Klutch Cannabis is getting ready to open its fifth location in the Village of Northfield, OH.

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.

Images comparing branding from Klutch Sports Group (left) and Klutch Cannabis (right).

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.

New shop: Akron City Council OKs revised plan for Fairlawn Heights dispensary

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

Ajman NuVentures Signs MoU with DIFC Courts

Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) today signed a MoU with the DIFC Courts to strengthen the legal infrastructure underpinning its fast-growing business ecosystem and enhance investor confidence.

This cooperation aims to enhance value-added services for ANCFZ clients by enabling them to access a range of public services offered by DIFC, including DIFC Courts services such as the Small Claims Tribunal, Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal, Enforcement, Specialised Divisions, Probate, Hearing Room Rentals, Notary Service, Mediation Service, Wills service, Tejouri Digital Vault, Registration of Practitioners, the Pro Bono Programme (PBP), and the Volunteer Lawyer Service.

The MoU reflects ANCFZ’s forward-looking approach to building a globally competitive free zone environment supported by legal clarity, regulatory transparency, and institutional collaboration. As the Free Zone continues to scale, the partnership will enhance awareness among investors and businesses of the UAE’s internationally recognized dispute resolution mechanisms, while providing clearer pathways to trusted legal services through DIFC Courts.

Under the terms of the agreement, both entities will collaborate on joint outreach initiatives including seminars, conferences, and investor awareness programmes. The MoU also provides for the exchange of relevant legal publications, regulatory developments, and operational insights, ensuring greater alignment and knowledge-sharing between the two institutions.

The collaboration comes at a time when the UAE’s free zone ecosystem continues to play a central role in national economic diversification. The country is home to more than 40 multidisciplinary free zones offering 100% foreign ownership and tailored business services to global investors, particularly in logistics, technology, finance, and manufacturing. Industry projections indicate that free zones are expected to contribute approximately AED 257 billion to the UAE’s non-oil GDP by 2030, reinforcing their importance as drivers of foreign direct investment and international trade.

At the same time, established financial and legal hubs such as the DIFC continue to expand their global footprint, with registered firms rising nearly 40% in 2025 to over 8,800, supported by a robust legal and regulatory infrastructure that enhances investor certainty and dispute resolution reliability.

Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, Chairman of ANCFZ, said: “As we continue to expand our investor base and global reach, strengthening the legal and regulatory ecosystem surrounding our Free Zone is essential. This partnership with the DIFC Courts reinforces our commitment to transparency, governance, and international best practices, in line with Ajman Vision 2030 and the UAE’s broader economic diversification agenda.”

H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, commented: “This Memorandum of Understanding reinforces legal certainty and investor confidence across the UAE’s free zone ecosystem. By extending access to the DIFC Courts’ internationally recognised services, the partnership strengthens the legal infrastructure supporting high-growth business communities.

Aligned with the DIFC Courts’ strategic priorities of international reach, judicial excellence, and effective enforcement, this collaboration further positions DIFC Courts as a leading global hub for dispute resolution and commercial certainty.” 

Rishi Somaiya, CEO of ANCFZ, added: “Investor confidence is built on clarity, speed, and legal certainty. By formalizing cooperation with the DIFC Courts, we are enhancing the value proposition of ANCFZ and ensuring that businesses operating within our ecosystem benefit from greater awareness of robust dispute resolution frameworks available in the UAE.”

For ANCFZ, this partnership builds on a year of accelerated growth and strong investor uptake. Established in October 2024, the Free Zone has successfully registered over 6,500 companies within its first year of operation, positioning itself as one of the UAE’s fastest-growing free zones and a notable contributor to foreign direct investment inflows.

ANCFZ’s fully integrated digital platform enables entrepreneurs to obtain a business license within two hours and complete visa processing within 24 hours. Its hybrid operational model, which combines advanced digital infrastructure with dedicated client support, ensures seamless regulatory compliance and efficient business setup, allowing investors to focus on scaling their operations.

 

The post Ajman NuVentures Signs MoU with DIFC Courts appeared first on My Startup World - Everything About the World of Startups!.

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