Indianapolis Colts v. Metropolitan Baltimore Football Club
United States Court of Appeals for Seventh Circuit
34 F.3d 410 (1994)
After the Colts relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis, a new Canadian Football League franchise took the name "Baltimore CFL Colts" and sold merchandise using that name; the Indianapolis Colts and NFL (plaintiffs) sued the Metropolitan Baltimore Football Club (defendant) to block use of "Colts" in the new team's name, arguing consumer confusion, and the district court enjoined use of "Baltimore Colts," crediting survey evidence that 64% of football fans thought the Baltimore CFL Colts were either the old NFL team or the current Indianapolis Colts; the Club appealed.
Whether a professional football team retains its trademark in its team name after relocating to a different geographic location.