Boston Red Sox may face suit over 'B STRONG' logo from Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation

EL PASO, N.M., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A New Mexico foundation has asked the Boston Red Sox to strike out their use of the "B STRONG" logo and slogan and the situation could be heading to courtroom soon.

Gary Aboud of the Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation trademarked the B STRONG logo almost seven years ago after Braden died in 2007. He told the El Paso Times that he’s been in legal discussions with the team for several months about their use of the logo. The Red Sox started using the B Strong logo after last year's Boston Marathon.

"We're at an impasse and I'm afraid soon we will be going to court over it," Gary said. "It's a David versus Goliath battle."

The foundation has issued cease-and-desist letters to other organizations in the past about using B Strong.

"They are not willing to give it up because they feel there is no marketing confusion," Gary Aboud said. "There is value to it because they don't want to give it up and they are not willing to cease and desist. They have sold that on merchandise and made money over it. They give the money to charities, but we're not included on that list."

Aboud said it’s possible the foundation will sue the Red Sox and Major League Baseball.

The Red Sox issued a statement about the situation on Thursday:

"Until today's press report, the Red Sox had been unaware that the amicable discussions that were being had with the Braden Aboud Foundation were not progressing to resolve the matter," the statement said. "The Red Sox look forward to further such discussions and to a positive resolution -- one that would, among other things, allow our distinct charitable interests mutually and successfully to co-exist."

[El Paso Times]