The U.S. Soccer Foundation and U.S. Soccer Federation have settled their lawsuit.
On Friday, the parties filed a joint stipulation of voluntary dismissal with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“All claims and counterclaims asserted by the parties against each other therein are hereby voluntarily dismissed with prejudice,” a statement said.
In a joint statement, the foundation and USSF said” “We have come to an agreement that we believe is in the best interest for the sport in the United States. As we move forward, the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Soccer Foundation will work together to provide access and opportunities for all soccer players across the country, particularly those in low-income communities and others in need.”
In a stunning and historic development on Dec. 6, 2018, the foundation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of trademarks in a dispute over who controls the foundation’s name and branding “marks.”
According to the foundation, one of the missions of the organization is to “enhance, assist and grow the sport of soccer in the United States, with a special emphasis on underserved communities.” For more than 25 years, the foundation has worked with the USSF, a foundation press release stated. The federation’s mission has been the official governing body of amateur and professional soccer, including the oversight of men’s, women’s and youth national teams.
The lawsuit was filed after a recent demand by the USSF that the foundation cease using its name and logos. According to foundation, the name and logos have defined the organization’s “brand and charitable work” since its inception in 1994. According to foundation’s complaint, “the USSF has threatened to hijack the foundation’s trademarks for its own use — likely in an effort to capitalize on lucrative business opportunities when the United States hosts the World Cup in 2026.”
