Nike Files to Trademark ‘Virtual Goods’; Hiring Metaverse Designers

Nike is looking to trademark its products’ “virtual goods” based in the US, according to an application filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office in late October. 

The sports apparel and sneaker company filed seven requests for trademarks and patents on their goods ranging from footwear, clothing and sports bags to art, toys and accessories. 

One of the sections identified trademark protection as downloadable “virtual goods, namely, computer programs featuring footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online and in online virtual worlds.”

These requests hint at the possibility that the company is planning to either sell its products as virtual goods or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or is trying to protect its products from becoming NFTs. 

The company’s famous “Just Do It” slogan and “Swoosh” logo were two of the handful of applications filed with the Patent and Trademark Office. The company also filed for patents on virtual “Air Jordan” and “Jumpman” logos as well. 

The filing was requested by Nike’s Vice President of Trademark, Copyright, and Design Patent Jamie Lemons as well as Marion Costello, a senior trademark paralegal manager at Nike, and Mike Maoz, assistant general counsel for trademark and design at Nike.

The company and individuals involved were not available for immediate comment on the filings when requested by Blockworks. 

Although the application was filed late October, it will take some time to be addressed. The  Patent and Trademark Office stated the case has not been assigned to an examining attorney and will be after about six months from its filing date.

Separately, Nike is hiring four virtual material designers, according to job postings by the company. Three positions are available for the “Virtual Material Designer II” role, while one position is open for the “Virtual Material Designer I, Footwear” job. 

The position will partner with the material design team at Nike “to create and visualize the most sophisticated and innovative virtual material concepts in the world using 3D tools,” it stated. “This role sits in the Digital Product Creation group, a team focusing on igniting the digital and virtual revolution at Nike,” the posting added. 

The positions will play a role “in redefining our digital world, ushering us into the metaverse and growing our team’s capabilities,” it said.