New Zealand Rugby has asked the High Court to stop the NRL from using the name Chiefs for its new Papua New Guinea team. The organisation says it owns the name and logo rights and that the overlap could confuse fans.
The new team is set to become the NRL’s 19th club. The PNG Chiefs name was announced last October. New Zealand Rugby said it raised concerns with the Australian Rugby League Commission, which owns the NRL, but could not reach an agreement to change the name.
The case seeks interim and permanent injunctions against the use in New Zealand of PNG Chiefs, Chiefs or similar names. New Zealand Rugby says it owns trademark rights to the word Chiefs and the logo in New Zealand, and has held Australian trademark protection for the logo since 1998.
The Waikato-based Chiefs have competed in Super Rugby since 1996. New Zealand Rugby argues that teams from closely related codes would compete for fans in overlapping markets and cause confusion. Its chief executive, Steve Lancaster, said the case was not intended to oppose the growth of rugby league in the Pacific.
The Australian Rugby League Commission previously said it had no intention of changing the expansion team’s name. The NRL was asked to comment on the court action on Thursday. The PNG Chiefs are scheduled to unveil their logo and jersey in Port Moresby this month.