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Celebrity Justice
Vince Young: My Name Was Straight Jacked

Posted Dec 16th 2008 3:11PM by TMZ Staff

Tennessee Titan Vince Young is doing whatever he can to get his mojo back this year -- he says someone else stole his nickname "In-vince-able" and his initials "VY" two years ago, and he wants 'em back.


Young claims in a Federal lawsuit three dudes from deep in the heart of Texas applied for the trademark for "VY" and "INVINCEABLE" the day after he won the Rose Bowl back in 2006 -- locking up the rights.

Now, young's lawyer tells us, the football star can't get deals with Reebok and video game makers, among others, because the defendants won't give up their claim to "VY" or "INVINCEABLE."

Weird sports trivia fact: According to Vince's attorney, one of the defendants is Enos Cabell, who played third base for the Houston Astros back in the '70s. We're still waiting for some calls back from the people getting sued.

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16. STEAL??? Those 3 guys are VERY WISE and were smart enough to do something your AGENT should have already done!!! If you want to use THEIR NAME AND THEIR TRADEMARK....PAY THEM FOR IT!!!!

Posted at 7:41PM on Dec 19th 2008 by Mike V

17. Apparently, not many people here know much about the law. Two points--

First of all, VY doesn't have to have registered his trademark to get protection. Registration is a formality that's not required to have a cause of action for infringement.

Second, VY has a right of publicity in his own names/nicknames. A name/surname/nickname is just as much of a protectable mark as anything else. The exception being that, if the people using it also have the same name, then they are free to use it for their own purposes (i.e. if one of these defendants himself was named Vince Young).

Posted at 6:31PM on Dec 19th 2008 by Travis

18. Yeah, sure. The reason he's not able to sign with Reebok is because some Houston Astro owns the word "Invinceable." How about "ConVINCE us you are even halfway decent at being a human being first?" Maybe players will be more savVY by learning from this dolt.

Posted at 4:14PM on Dec 29th 2008 by Was Buf., Now Was.

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