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The Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL might have unintentionally invited some undue authorized troubles after they just lately reached out to pop famous person Taylor Swift about their new identify and emblem.
The Sceptres have been one of many authentic six groups when the Skilled Ladies’s Hockey League debuted earlier this yr. Nevertheless, the group spent its first yr in existence recognized solely as “PWHL Toronto.” In September, the league revealed new workforce names and logos for every of its six groups. Toronto was named the Sceptres and debuted a brand new “TS” monogram emblem.
Therein lies the issue. As Margaret Fleming of Entrance Workplace Sports activities stories, the “TS” monogram emblem utilized by the Sceptres seems conspicuously like the identical monogram utilized by Swift within the 2014 music video for her hit single “Shake It Off.”
Schulich Advertising and marketing Teacher Vijay Setlur feedback on the Toronto Sceptres’ new emblem! ???? Followers spot resemblance to a Taylor Swift image in her “Shake It Off” video. ???? Take a look at his insights within the @TorontoStar.
???? Article: #TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/k1EmMnXsVA
— Schulich College of Enterprise (@SchulichSchool) September 12, 2024
Toronto Sceptres And PWHL Opened Themselves Up To Potential Taylor Swift Lawsuit
The Sceptres might not have had a problem had they simply laid low. In spite of everything, the PWHL isn’t precisely the world’s hottest sports activities league. However when Swift got here to Toronto earlier this month for a cease on her “Eras Tour” the workforce provided to current her with a customized jersey.
We’re so excited to have you ever in Toronto, @taylorswift13 and @gracieabrams!
We will’t wait to see you rep the primary customized Toronto Sceptres jerseys ????
(cc: @taylornation13, @gracieshq) pic.twitter.com/8wwth7N03f
— Toronto Sceptres (@PWHL_Toronto) November 12, 2024
Now they might stay to remorse that call.
“What the tourism board and what the workforce have now accomplished is highlighted that [similarity] for everyone to see. So in some methods, if [Swift] would have been tremendous with it earlier than, she would possibly now really feel compelled to handle it,” an skilled on trademark regulation and professor of regulation and media at Northeastern College instructed Fleming. “It’s sort of daring what they did.”
The PWHL denied that it actively used Swift’s design for its emblem.
“Whereas we welcome the comparability to Taylor, our emblem began with the Sceptre image at its core, with the highest and backside factors of an ornamented rod. From that place to begin, the Toronto Sceptres emblem was born,” it instructed Fleming.
However the similarities are unimaginable to disregard. And now the league, and the workforce, might remorse ever bringing it up.
