WWE vs. WWF -- the World Wildlife Fund, that is.
| Published 11/19/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

The World Wildlife Fund decided a few years back that the World Wrestling Federation were infringing on their rights and confusing consumers by using the same initials. Now, keep in mind this is actually the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, but they went by the acronym WWF. After several lawsuits, the smoke cleared and the World Wrestling Federation settled by saying they would get the F out - of their name, that is, and replace it with Entertainment.

The World Wrestling Federation then became the World Wrestling Entertainment. Their name was quickly dropped. Shirts bearing the clever catchphrase "Get the F out" were made to clear up the confusion. The WWE then had to change their symbol from a connected double W and F to a double W. All videos that were done with symbols or mentions of WWF had to be edited with the symbol blurred out and the words changed. But the WWE did it willingly to avoid any lawsuits and keep the World Wildlife Fund happy.

Let's jump ahead a few years now. The World Wildlife Fund is actually planning another lawsuit against the WWE. They say that the confusion is still there in names and that the WWE has not done a good enough job in their name change. They also say to cover the damages that have been done, that the WWE should not only change their name but also pay a hefty sum to the World Wildlife Fund.

Now the outcome of this trial is uncertain. Whether there will be a name change or whether there will be a settlement at all remains to be seen. It leaves many questions over the subject. How far can a lawsuit go with name infringement? Is a lawsuit that was settled once allowed to be brought back? Can tree-hugging hippies really command this much respect in the court? We'll keep you posted on anything we may miss.