AEW EVP Cody has filed a trademark to secure the name Cody Rhodes. Cody filed an application on April 13 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name ‘Cody Rhodes’. The filing is for merchandise and general pro wrestling use. It’s no coincidence that Cody filed the trademark on the exact date WWE’s ownership of the name expired. WWE filed a trademark for the name “Cody Rhodes” October 13, 2009.The filing was valid for 10-years, expiring on October 13, 2019. The United States Patent and Trademark office provides a six month grace period if a renewal is not filed.The six month grace period ended on April 13, and now the trademark has expired. WWE was sent correspondence on October 13, 2018, reminding the company of the expiry, and grace period.
Cody previously said of the name, “I’ll tell you this, and I’ve not told anyone this, but I don’t mind that WWE took away my last name. Deep down, in my bones, I definitely want it back – and I have plans to get it back – but there is something to being Cody. The longer I don’t have a last name, the more I’m OK with it. That’s not to say WWE is holding it ransom. It’s literally an intellectual property law that easily can be remedied, but there is something about being Cody that I don’t mind. There is something to not always reminding people of a show they’ve already seen, but instead embracing the one right in front of him. I am Cody, and I can promise you that the future is going to be even better than in the past.”
