In a David-and-Goliath battle unfolding over Richmond’s Charged Up Entertainment, this local institution, led by hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Noah Oddo, has been locked in a long-running battle to defend its logo from the Cleveland Guardians baseball team—a story we’ve followed since 2022.
The dispute centers on Charged Up’s distinctive “C” logo, which has been in use since 2015, predating the Cleveland team’s rebranding as the Guardians. Oddo argues that Charged Up’s “C” is unmistakably unique, styled with sharp lines and a lightning bolt, a nod to the energy that fuels his company’s spirit. Yet, the Cleveland Guardians allege similarity and are pushing to force Oddo to relinquish his rights, employing what many see as the usual playbook for a massive corporate entity trying to stifle a small business by dragging out costly legal proceedings.
The original filing on July 21, 2022 states the following:
The Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company, LLC is opposing the registration of the mark C and Design by Charged Up Entertainment Intl LLC in International Class 25 for “Hats; Pants; Sweatshirts; T-shirts; Ski masks” based on the allegation that the Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company has been using similar marks in connection with baseball games and exhibition services and a wide variety of goods and services, including clothing, toys, sporting goods, and novelty items, for a long time prior to January 25, 2019, the claimed first use date of Charged Up Entertainment.
The Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company owns federal registrations and applications for their marks in various classes, including International Classes 9, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, and 41, and an Ohio registration in Class 25. The company has also promoted and advertised the sale and distribution of goods and services bearing their marks and offered such goods and services in commerce.
The Cleveland Guardians Baseball Company believes that the registration of Charged Up Entertainment’s mark will cause confusion, mistake, or deception among consumers, dilute the distinctiveness of their marks, and cause damage to their reputation and goodwill.
Here is a link to the paperwork : HERE
For Richmond, losing Charged Up’s logo would mean more than just a trademark setback—it would be a blow to a brand that has become a beacon of hope and resilience. Founded in 2002, Charged Up Entertainment emerged as an alternative to the streets, promoting the values of creativity, self-expression, and entrepreneurship through hip-hop, fashion, and community engagement. Over the years, it has expanded to include a recording studio, monthly events supporting local artists, and a flagship store in the Arts District, now a gathering space for Richmond’s creative minds.
Charged Up’s flagship store, a baseball-themed space honoring MLB’s Chris Aguila, one of Major League Baseball’s first Filipino/Pacific Islander players and local rapper Kleph Dollaz, who passed away in 2012, has also become a hub for minority and women-owned businesses. It hosts pop-up events at no charge, offering a platform for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their work and build networks. Beyond business, Charged Up provides essential support for Richmond residents by offering free clothing, toiletries, and food at the store and incentivizing customers to donate with in-store discounts.
Now, this community mainstay is calling on its supporters to help keep the brand—and its mission—alive through a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering mounting legal fees. Funds raised will go directly toward legal counsel at $295 per hour to fend off the Cleveland Guardians’ challenge, allowing Charged Up to continue its work and retain its identity in the face of this daunting lawsuit.
“Charged Up isn’t just a logo or a brand,” Oddo says. “It’s a legacy of what we’ve built for our community over the years.”
You can donate HERE.
