Pepperdine University Takes Mindy Kaling’s “Running Point” to Court Over Trademark Issues
Get ready for some courtroom drama because Pepperdine University is throwing down the gauntlet against Netflix and Warner Bros. over Mindy Kaling’s latest gig, “Running Point.” The show, which follows a woman taking the reins of her family’s fictional pro basketball team in L.A., has apparently hit a nerve with Pepperdine, primarily because the fictional team is named “the Waves”—a nod that hits a bit too close to home for the private Christian university whose own athletic teams share the same moniker.
In the lawsuit, which has made its way to the headlines, Pepperdine’s legal eagles claim that there’s more than just a passing resemblance between the show’s logo, branding, and even its color scheme and that of the university. Both feature blue, orange, and white — basically, we’re talking about a color palette that shouts “Waves” with a wave logo to boot. The school’s chief marketing officer, Sean Burnett, didn’t mince words, expressing that without Pepperdine’s permission, Netflix has used the school’s identity in a way they deem inappropriate.
Things get juicier as the complaint points out that both Pepperdine and the fictional Waves hype up the number 37—on the university’s side, it’s a nod to its founding in 1937, while in the show, it appears in way too obvious a promotional spot. They’re not happy about it and believe that this overlapping branding and mismanagement depicted in “Running Point” could tarnish their reputation, especially given the show’s use of risqué content, like substance use and foul language.
Pepperdine, looking to protect its squeaky-clean image and recruitment efforts, is asking the court to stop Netflix and WB from using its trademarks while also seeking damages and any profits made off Waves-related merchandise. As of now, reps for Kaling, Netflix, and WB have remained tight-lipped about the whole legal kerfuffle, but it’s safe to say this story isn’t going away anytime soon. So, grab your popcorn folks, because this lawsuit could lead to some real drama off-screen.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Entertainment Weekly, Deadline, Variety
