U.S. Army opposes Vegas bid to register ‘Golden Knights’ name

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — The U.S. Army has filed a challenge opposing the application of the NHL’s newest franchise to register the trademark “Vegas Golden Knights.”

In a claim filed Wednesday with the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in suburban Washington, the army claims it will be damaged if the trademark is registered and says it has acquired exclusive rights to it that predate any rights claimed by the NHL team.

The army says it has used the Golden Knights nickname since the late 1960s for its parachute team, public relations and recruiting, and claims it owns “common law rights” for the colour schemes that combine black and gold and yellow and white.

The team said in a statement that it will work to see the matter resolved.