U.S. Army challenges Vegas team’s name

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — 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 color schemes.

The filing also says the NHL team’s choice of black-andgold and yellow-and-white color schemes for its uniforms, advertising and marketing adds “to the likelihood of confusion of the public” because the same colors are used on the uniforms worn by West Point’s hockey team.

The action by the Army is not associated with West Point. Vegas owner Bill Foley is a graduate of academy and a significant donor.

In NHL action on Thursday: HURRICANES 3, CAPITALS 1: In Washington, Victor Rask broke a tie on a delayed penalty with 9:06 left to give Carolina a victory just hours after the team’s sale to Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon was finalized.

FLAMES 5, LIGHTNING 1: In Tampa, Fla., Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and an assist, and Mike Smith made 33 saves as Calgary beat NHL-leading Tampa Bay for its fifth straight victory. SABRES 3, BLUE JACKETS 1: In Buffalo, N.Y., Kyle Okposo had a goal as an assist as Buffalo snapped a five-game skid with a win over Columbus.