Trademark Dispute Erupts Between Cardinals Teams

A trademark dispute has arisen between the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Hamilton Cardinals of the Canadian Baseball League. The St. Louis Cardinals are formally opposing a trademark application filed by the Hamilton Cardinals with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

St. Louis Cardinals Allege Brand Exploitation

The MLB team alleges that the Hamilton Cardinals are attempting to capitalize on their established reputation and goodwill. They argue this could mislead consumers into believing a connection exists between the two organizations. The opposition began in spring 2025, with St. Louis Cardinals LLC formally contesting the Hamilton team’s applications.

Hamilton Cardinals Defend Their Brand

The Hamilton Cardinals dispute these claims and intend to continue operating under their current name and logo throughout the season. Their logo features a cardinal holding a hammer, referencing Hamilton’s industrial history. Owner Eric Spearin expressed surprise at the opposition, emphasizing the differences between the leagues and logos.

Legal Expert Weighs In

Alexandra Mogyoros, an intellectual property law expert from Toronto Metropolitan University, notes that such disputes are common. Trademark law aims to ensure a mark is “distinctive enough” to identify the source of goods or services.

Core of the Dispute: Confusing Similarity

A key aspect of the opposition centers on whether the Hamilton Cardinals’ trademark is “confusingly similar” to that of the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals’ legal team, Gowling Canada, argues the Hamilton team’s application seeks to “trade off” the recognition and positive associations Canadians have with the MLB club.

Past Statements Highlight Connection

The St. Louis Cardinals cite a previous statement from former Hamilton Cardinals co-owner Drew Brady. Brady had acknowledged the team was “riding on the coattails” of the St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series victory.

Hamilton Cardinals' History and Future Plans

The Hamilton Cardinals maintain a long-standing history with the name, dating back to 1958. They also point to a previous affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1988 to 1992, when both teams shared a stadium. Despite the legal challenge, the Hamilton Cardinals are proceeding with their season, which begins on May 15th.

Spearin admits he hasn’t considered the implications of a potential loss in the trademark battle. The St. Louis Cardinals have a deadline of April 26th to submit further evidence supporting their case.