Part 4/7:
The intricacies of trademark law mean that the distinction between singular and plural forms—"Yeti" versus "Yetis"—did not suffice to clear the hurdle. The USPTO noted that the two marks are confusingly similar in sound, appearance, meaning, and overall impression. Furthermore, because the term "Utah" was considered descriptive, it did not hold enough weight to alter this similarity.
This situation is particularly noteworthy in the sports world where merchandise and branding are vital. Although the Utah Hockey Club wouldn’t directly compete with Yeti's product line, any overlap in the types of merchandise offered (like apparel and novelty items) complicates matters. Fans are left asking if they will indeed be able to cheer for the Utah Yeti, or if they must settle for a different identity.