In a tweet earlier today, metaverse trademark attorney Michael Kondoudis revealed that Lebron James's trademark holding company LBJ Trademarks, LLC has filed four new trademark applications for LEBRON JAMES, LEBRON, CHOSEN1 and KING JAMES.

The applications were filed on March 4, 2022, and signal plans by the basketball star to expand his brand into:

• NFTs and digital collectibles

• Downloadable image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens

• Virtual footwear, clothing, swimwear, headwear, bags, backpacks, sports equipment, sporting goods, toys, home furnishings, posters, trading cards, headphones, phones, video games, watches, jewelry, accessories, and home décor

• An online marketplace for buyers and sellers of downloadable digital products that are authenticated by non-fungible tokens

• Providing non-downloadable virtual products for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes

• Virtual basketball courts, gyms, and recreational facilities for playing sports in the metaverse and virtual worlds

"Lebron James is one of today's most well-known athletes, and the value attached to his name and brand is significant. These filings show how he continues to leverage that value," Mr. Kondoudis says.

"Clearly, Lebron sees the potential of the Metaverse and is preparing his trademarks and brand for the virtual economy that will dominate it," Mr. Kondoudis opined.

Mr. Kondoudis adds that these trademark filings "follow the trend by other sports and entertainment celebrities to begin preparations to participate in the Metaverse."

"We expect the number of trademark filings for NFT and virtual products and services to continue to increase in the next 12 months as brands come to appreciate the need for protection in the Metaverse," Mr. Kondoudis concluded.

Michael Kondoudis is a Washington DC-based trademark lawyer who tracks Metaverse and NFT trademark filings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.