Luka Dončić’s Trademark Dispute With His Mother
In 2018, NBA star Luka Dončić’s mother, Mirjam Poterbin, filed a U.S. trademark application for “LUKA DONCIC 7” with his written consent when he was just 19. However, as Dončić’s career soared, he sought to take control of his branding through his company, Luka99 Inc., by filing his own trademark applications.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied his applications, citing their similarity to the existing “LUKA DONCIC 7” trademark owned by Poterbin. This triggered a legal battle in September 2022, when Dončić petitioned to cancel his mother’s registration.
The dispute concluded in December 2022 with a private settlement between Dončić and Poterbin.
The case highlights the importance of proper legal guidance in trademark matters. If Dončić had been listed as the original trademark owner in 2018, he could have avoided a public dispute with his mother and maintained full control over his personal brand. This situation serves as a cautionary tale for athletes and public figures about the risks of mismanaging intellectual property, especially when it involves family and long-term brand identity.