I agree, Gene. I also wonder whether the MLB licenses would include these statiums. But if the licenses do exist that include prohibitions against use of the stadiums, names or likenesses then permission would have to be obtained. If these letters are legitimate it 1) suggests that there is a protectable interest and 2) it demonstrates the lengths that MLB will go to protect that license or rights of property. If there is legal protection in the form of trade marks or otherwise, failure to object to the use of the trade mark can result in a finding of abandonment. I would be interested to know if the Trop (assuming that is the casino that issued the chips) had obtained permission to use the stadiums in their promotions.
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