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New Orleans Saints win lawsuit over Fleur de Lis logo
The appeals court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a man claiming trademark rights to the New Orleans Saints' fleur-de-lis symbol as a "direct descendant of the kings of France."
New Orleans Saints win lawsuit over Fleur de Lis logo
A United States court has filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the New Orleans Saints rejected by a man who claims to be a “direct descendant of the kings of France.” He had laid claim to the trademark of the fleur-de-lis symbol.
Background of the lawsuit
In one Court document Michel J. Messier explained that he and his family owned the “intellectual property rights to the Fleur de Lys, Orleans and Saints brands” and wanted the patent NFL -Cancel franchise for these symbols.
Court decision and further steps
However, the court ruled that Messier's claim presented no evidence and that neither he nor his family were currently using the fleur-de-lis in any business capacity to warrant consideration. Messier said he would file another motion to vacate the U.S. Supreme Court by May 1, "including but not limited to the commercial value of my family's approximately 1,500 years of business activities."
Furthermore, Messier intends to make claims regarding “ Name, image and likeness ” for the fleur-de-lis as well as legal action against the court’s characterization of him as a “mere meddler” in “their own family business”.
The Saints Trademark Story
The Saints received a trademark application from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1974 for the use of a stylized fleur-de-lis symbol after adopting a professional one in 1967 NFL team had become. Since then, the symbol - a three-petaled flower that has become the emblem of the city of New Orleans - has been closely associated with the Louisiana team and is displayed on players' helmets.
A historical connection
The fleur-de-lis has long been associated with the French monarchy, with the origins being go back almost 1,000 years. Messier's original application to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board was dismissed in June 2024, a decision he later appealed to the Federal Appeals Court.
Messier claims the fleur-de-lis symbol was used by his family "for several centuries," according to court documents. However, the federal court agreed with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's ruling that Messier's claim did not provide enough basis to claim the symbol.
conclusion
The ruling found that the case was dismissed because Messier did not have the necessary standing: "Because Mr. Messier lacks standing to sue, we lack jurisdiction to consider the features of his appeal."