Takeaway: Pepperdine University has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Netflix and Warner Bros. for using the university’s branding in Running Point, emphasizing the importance of protecting its identity and values.
Pepperdine University has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. for trademark infringement and related claims due to the production companies’ unauthorized use of the university’s trademarks in the upcoming series Running Point, set to release on February 27, 2025. The series features a basketball team called the “Waves,” which closely mirrors Pepperdine’s branding, including its name, colors, and even the number “37,” associated with the university’s founding date.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, seeks to prevent further use of Pepperdine’s trademarks and demands damages for the harm caused. The university has raised concerns about the show’s explicit content, which contradicts its Christian values. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, Netflix and Warner Bros. have not taken corrective action, leading Pepperdine to seek legal intervention, with Cislo & Thomas LLP representing them as co-counsel.
