Caleb Williams’ effort to secure rights to the word “Iceman” has been denied for now.

According to United States Patent and Trademark Office records, the Chicago Bears quarterback’s application for the “Iceman” trademark was initially refused as of Wednesday.

The rejection did not stem from an application or trademark linked to NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin or UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell. Instead, the USPTO found the mark too similar to an existing trademark filed in 1988 by LaCrosse Footwear for insulated boots.

The refusal letter stated, “These marks are identical in appearance, sound and meaning. Additionally, because they are identical, these marks are likely to engender the same connotation and overall commercial impression when considered in connection with applicant’s and registrant’s respective goods and/or services.”

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LaCrosse Footwear, based in Oregon, holds a trademark for the name “Iceman” covering one of its boots and boot liners.

Williams had sought trademark coverage across multiple categories, including clothing, which allowed the USPTO to extend its refusal broadly across the goods listed in his application.

In addition to apparel, Williams’ filing encompassed athletic bags, water bottles, sporting goods, a website, and entertainment services.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben IP explained that examiners considered the goods related across categories. “They make the connection between the other goods in Caleb's application, saying that even though these are just insulated boots and Caleb is claiming shirts and hats and pants and all these other things, that those are related goods,” Gerben said.

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ESPN reported that messages sent to attorneys representing Williams and LaCrosse had not been returned.

Gerben said that an initial refusal from the USPTO is not unusual. Data from the agency shows that 63.5% of initial trademark applications face denial, though not all rejections involve direct conflicts with existing trademarks.

Meanwhile, Williams’ application for an “Iceman” logo, distinct from the word itself, continues to undergo its first round of USPTO review.

Williams retains the ability to appeal the ruling regarding the word mark. “The registration that they're citing here is for obviously a very limited product line. Literally insulated boots,” Gerben said. “Look, it might be harder for him to get Iceman registered for a brand of clothing items because of that, but there's other things in his application that he could possibly still wind up with a registration here.”

The USPTO has not yet finalized any decision related to Gervin’s own filings for “Iceman” and “Iceman 44.” Both remain pending under review.

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