Pifl / Ipfl

[phydeaux72]

Found this little tidbid of info at http://www.misterhabs.com/ipfl.htm:

The PIFL was started by Dick Suess in 1998. Dick Suess was deeply involved in football on the semi-pro/minor league level, and at the time of this writing heads up the Minor League Football News. In 1996, he began shopping around the idea of the PIFL, an indoor league created from the top minor league programs around the country. The league was finally formed in late 1997 and began it's first season in 1998.

The PIFL was rife with problems from the start. The Wildcats changed coaches during the preseason. By the third game, many teams were in serious financial trouble and started forfeiting games. The Minnesota Monsters folded after week 3. Many other teams missed payrolls and the best players quit.

After the first season, the owner of the Madison Mad Dogs and Green Bay Bombers ditched the PIFL to form the rival IFL. The IFL excelled for two years, while the PIFL retooled and became the IPFL. Dick Suess, the owner of the Idaho Stallions, was still in charge. Unfortunately, where all the IFL teams were franchised out by the league, the IPFL was still struggling with individual ownership. As a result IPFL teams came and went throughout the season. Still, the IPFL managed to survive through three seasons from 1999-2001, and was planning a fourth, when it folded. Some of the teams disbanded, while others moved to the NIFL.

The above information was generously provided by Tom Thomas, a former player for the Colorado Wildcats. Any further information about either incarnation of this league would be much appreciated.

I wonder if the new PIFL followed due dilligence in making sure that they aren't recycling a copyrighted name. And if so, do they have permission to do so?

[preeths]

Not sure, but I don't believe the name was copyrighted. I worked with the league a bit during the year, and they didn't really worry about a lot of stuff like that. When Mike Storen took over the PIFL before the following season, the league left the name behind and became the IPFL.

[baydaddy77]

What ever happened to Mike Storen? I always thought that he tried his best with a tough situation. Seems I remember hearing a Dick Suess interview on one of the OSC shows a year or so back. He had a very favorable opinion of Carolyn, but took a very negative position about Mike Storen. Maybe Dick Suess' opinion is a little suspect. It would be interesting to here from Mike Storen on the state of indoor football.

[preeths]

Storen is now one of the owners of af2's South Georgia Wildcats.

[Geoff]

Found this little tidbid of info at http://www.misterhabs.com/ipfl.htm:



I wonder if the new PIFL followed due dilligence in making sure that they aren't recycling a copyrighted name. And if so, do they have permission to do so?

Considering they would have never made it this far without any legal action, I'd says it insn't copyrighted and if it is, they have permission.

[preeths]

PIFL will not play this year:
http://www.piflfootball.com/

The PIFL Looks Towards 2008
San Angelo , TX – The PIFL is announcing that they will forego the 2007 and focus on the continual development of the league for 2008.
“We have determined, through our due diligences, that the 2007 would not be feasible for the PIFL and its interested markets,” stated PIFL Executive Director Chris Simpson. “We have every intention of playing in 2008. This decision gives us another 12 to 18 months to really get it dialed in.”
“We want to build this thing right, bottom line. I determined early on in this process that if we where not at specific points in development by September 1 we would not make a go of it in 2007,” Simpson added. I’m not interested in simply putting together a league for the sake of having a league or for the sake of grabbing markets. Nor do we want to cause additional damage to teams and their markets.”
The PIFL began as an opportunity for teams and markets to change the culture of indoor football. Over 30 teams and markets expressed interest in a league built on a foundation of integrity and honesty. Several major corporations also expressed interest in helping develop the PIFL as sponsors.
“We have very solid relationships with a lot of people wanting to be part of the PIFL and we will continue those relationships,” added Simpson. They understand the need for us to continue to develop the league before having teams step on the field. They are behind us 100% in our decision to wait.”
“There is still a lot of uncertainty despite the changes made to other leagues and the development of new ones. We will continue with our concept and structure. But, we will build it better.”

[Tater]

The original PIFL/IPFL is not copyrighted or trademarked. However, it does still exist and is still registered as it was in 1997/1998 in Utah. Since that league was "nationwide", a trademark isn't necessary unless someone else intends to use the name other than the original/current owners of the PIFL/IPFL.

If someone other than the original owners attempts to trademark the name, the trademark will be denied unless the orginal creators/owners agree to release the name.

[yellowpages]

The original PIFL/IPFL is not copyrighted or trademarked. However, it does still exist and is still registered as it was in 1997/1998 in Utah. Since that league was "nationwide", a trademark isn't necessary unless someone else intends to use the name other than the original/current owners of the PIFL/IPFL.

If someone other than the original owners attempts to trademark the name, the trademark will be denied unless the orginal creators/owners agree to release the name.

The PIFL can be tradenamed by anyone in any other state besides Utah. My research shows that the PIFL has been tradenamed in Texas where the LLC was established and is legally protected by that state. Because the league was "nationwide" does not mean anything legally unless it is a registered trademark. Only registered trademarks are recognized as "nationwide" and takes priority over any tradename that was established prior to.

The NIFL in January of 2006 had their work copyrighted because of their desire to file copyright and patent infringement lawsuits against the other leagues. This was done because they had no legal basis on the copyright part until it was legally filed with the USPTO.