The Brooklyn Nets are preparing to start the 2024-25 season after an eventful offseason. However, the Nets appear to be navigating another issue, given reports of a lawsuit the team, the NBA, and others are involved in.
Brooklyn, along with YES Network, the team's television carrier, Canon U.S.A. (one of YES's equipment providers), and the NBA are being sued by software company Phinge for trademark infringement for the "Netaverse" trademark, per Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports.
The Nets used the "Netaverse" term to describe their 3D VR NBA experience, which premiered in January of 2022. Phinge, which focuses on software for mobile devices, began offering "Netaverse" in December of 2021 and used the term to promote the goods and services of others through its website, according to information acquired by Colin Helwig of NetsDaily.
Phinge's lawsuit states the company filed a U.S. trademark application for "Netaverse" on Sep. 25, 2019, and received approval on Oct. 10, 2022. The company also applied for a trademark on Jan. 18, 2022, which has not yet been approved. The Nets allegedly applied for their "Netaverse" trademark the same day and began using and promoting the term shortly after.
Phinge alleges that Brooklyn's use of the term is a violation of its trademark and that it “has suffered irreparable harm, and, unless this Court enjoins Defendants, will continue to suffer irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law," per info from NetsDaily.
The lawsuit is an ongoing development.
Nets continue 2024-25 season preparations despite legal battle
Brooklyn entered a new era after trading former team building block Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. The Nets acquired four first-round picks for Bridges in addition to Bojan Bogdanovic. The move signaled the team's pivot to a full rebuild, which included making moves to acquire other young talents.
The Nets traded for former Memphis Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams in July. In addition, Brooklyn made an abundance of other roster moves in September to fill out for team training camp. They signed several young players including Yongxi Cui, Killian Hayes, Tyrese Martin, and Amari Bailey.
Of course, the borough's eyes will be on a few of the team's other strong contributors. Namely, Cam Thomas and Nicolas Claxton are bracing for breakout years as two players who seem like locks in the starting lineup.
Nets fans will get to see what Brooklyn's future is made once the 2024-25 season tips off in October.