All Sports Television Network and Its Founder in Dispute with HBO Over Use of "MAX"
Nov 14, 2023
Media giant attempts to block trademark of All Sports television series.
DETROIT - Nov. 14, 2023 - PRLog -- Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO) filed a "Notice of Opposition" against the "Racemax" trademark, which was filed by All Sports Television Network founder Roger Neal Smith. The trademark filed by Smith was researched and approved by the trademark office's attorney for publication. HBO filed an opposition to the filing, claiming HBO has exclusive rights to the word "Max".
In February 2023, Smith filed two trademarks using the name "Racemax". One trademark was for a television series appearing on the All Sports Television Network (All Sports). The other trademark was for a line of apparel. HBO filed an opposition to block the use of both trademarks. The broadcast giant claims that since it owns trademarks "Cinemax", "HBO Max", "Moremax", "Actionmax", "Thrillermax", "5 Starmax", "Outermax", and "Moviemax", All Sports' use of the word "Max" will cause confusion with their brand.
When researching all HBO trademarks, "Cinemax" is the only name trademarked for clothing. There currently exists 170 trademarks registered in the U.S. that contain the word "Max". This includes Ford Motor Company's "C-Max", Nike's "Air Max", and Victoria's Secret's "Angel Max". Yet, HBO is using their vast financial resources to block Smith's "Racemax" clothing trademark as well.
"HBO's claim to the exclusive use of the word 'Max' with anything related to broadcasting is totally ludicrous," stated Roger Neal Smith, All Sports president and founder. Having filed numerous trademarks previously, I am aware that attorneys at the trademark office are very thorough in checking for marks that are conflicting with one another. The fact that the attorney assigned to review our trademark applications confirmed that 'Racemax' was not in conflict with any other marks is further evidence that HBO has no special claim on the word. HBO's assertion that it has exclusive use of the word 'Max' when combined with any other word related to film, television, and clothing makes absolutely no sense.
I have researched and identified 128 entertainment-related trademarks containing the word 'Max' that are currently registered in the U.S., which include 'Newsmax', 'Imax', and 'Movies to the Max'. It is obvious that HBO is simply trying to intimidate and bully me and All Sports. Initially, HBO attorneys tried intimidating me by sending threatening letters. When that did not work, they decided to officially file an opposition with the trademark office.
Our television series 'Racemax' has been running for three years. To date, we have aired the series more than 1,000 times without any notification that we were infringing on an HBO trademark. Now, all of a sudden, HBO asserts that we should not be using the word 'Max'.
I cannot and will not simply roll over and quit just because a multi-billion-dollar company decides that I cannot use a word that I have the legitimate right to use. If I allow this to happen, any time we decide to create a television program or a clothing product, I will have to first contact Casey Bloys, HBO's CEO, for his permission and blessing."
About All Sports Television Network
The All Sports Television Network is a national sports network created for American broadcast television. It features sports and sports-related programming covering both traditional and non-traditional sporting events across the globe. The company strives to provide viewers with interesting and exciting programs to watch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and to provide the public with the opportunity to experience sporting events of which they were unaware.
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)
Source: All Sports Television Network
Read Full Story - All Sports Television Network and Its Founder in Dispute with HBO Over Use of "MAX" | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
More News
Eh, could Canada be the next big wine country? Find out at Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival
“We’re in the golden age of Canadian wines,” legendary wine writer Tony Aspler tells me confidently. We are at an intimate showcase of the stuff at the Canadian consulate in Hong Kong’s Quarry Bay neighbourhood, where representatives of nine wineries have gathered to prove that the true north has more than ice wine to offer. As a wine drinker with no particular bias – I will happily quaff a funky Austrian pét-nat (sparkling wine) as much as a fine Burgundy – it was natural for me to enter with...
Journey Beyond Expands National Tourism Portfolio and Launches Island Connections
Continuing its growth across Australia’s tourism sector, Journey Beyond has unveiled Island Connections, a new national brand for its recently acquired SeaLink marine operations, bringing together ferry and marine transport services under a single identity. The launch follows the completion of Journey Beyond’s acquisition of Kelsian Group’s national tourism portfolio, adding 14 tourism brands to the business, significantly expanding its footprint across Australia and reinforcing its position as one of the country’s leading experiential tourism operators.
The City Beyond the Skyline: Getting to Know the Real Doha
There is a particular moment in Doha, just before sunset, when the city seems to change pace. Along the Corniche, locals and visitors gather for an evening stroll as traditional wooden dhows drift across the bay. Across the water, the towers of West Bay catch the last of the afternoon light. Nearby, the narrow streets of Souq Waqif begin to fill with families, friends and visitors settling in for the evening.
Hit the Road This Season With These Useful New Map Features
The recent updates to Google Maps and Apple’s Maps use artificial (and human) intelligence for better navigation, planning and travel guides.
33 Cheap Travel Products That Won’t Break The Bank After The Flight And Hotel Prices Basically Robbed You
Welp, you might have just flushed a lot of money down an airline toilet, but at least you won't feel the same hit getting this $7 holy grail travel layering shirt and this $10 portable footstool. View Entire Post ›
YOTEL Opens First Bangkok Hotel in Creative Hub
Thailand’s first YOTEL is also the first in Asia under Select by Hilton, featuring robots and a 300m skywalk to the BTS The post YOTEL Opens First Bangkok Hotel in Creative Hub appeared first on Business Traveller.
Meet Meghan Markle’s niece, Noelle Rasmussen, who spoke out on Thomas Markle Snr’s child porn scandal
The family of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is no stranger to controversy. Her father, Thomas Markle Snr, 82, is under investigation for allegedly possessing child sex abuse material, discovered at his home in Cebu, Philippines, by his son, Thomas Markle Jnr. Meghan’s 60-year-old half-brother then reportedly notified an FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and other law enforcement agencies. It has also been revealed that the 2019 letter sent to London’s...
A New Chapter of Waterfront Living at InterContinental Dubai Marina
With newly redesigned rooms, flexible residences, and a prime waterfront setting, InterContinental Dubai Marina delivers a seamless blend of business convenience and lifestyle comfort The post A New Chapter of Waterfront Living at InterContinental Dubai Marina appeared first on Business Traveller.
An ‘Endless’ Cruise Around the World Is Suspended, Leaving Passengers Stranded
The cruise promised a lifetime of sailing, for less than what it cost to live on land. But it was underfunded and couldn’t absorb the rising cost of fuel.
5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this Halloween weekend, October 30 to November 1
Halloween weekend in Hong Kong offers far more than the usual bar or club crawl. From big-stage music and carnival energy to an artsy cocktail night, themed workouts and a family-friendly market, there are many ways to mark one of the city’s biggest celebrations. Read on to plan your perfect Halloweekend. 1. Spooky Halloween 2026 festival After its inaugural run in 2025, Hong Kong’s Halloween music carnival is officially back, taking over the Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space from October 30 to...
Holiday traditions, new attractions make Washington, DC an ideal winter destination
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season in the nation’s capital, where beloved local traditions, blocks-long holiday markets, unique seasonal displays and cheerful décor combine to create the ultimate winter getaway. Dynamic new attractions, cozy restaurants, inventive bars and major sporting events give travelers even more reasons to visit. Discover the value of visiting in wintertime and start planning at washington.org/winter.
Brazilian spirit takes centre stage: country turns to culture, sport and local experiences to inspir
British tourism to Brazil is booming, with visitor arrivals climbing 11.33% between January and September 2026 to reach 148,429 (up from 133,328 in 2025). Riding this wave of momentum, Brazil arrives at WTM London (3–5 November) with a strategic programme built to drive even higher numbers for 2027. The Brazilian pavilion will immerse the international travel trade in the country’s unmistakable energy, blending rich culture, sporting passion, and a famous way of life shared across its tables, beaches, streets, and stadiums.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.