NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins sues 40 companies over copyright violations

According to the lawsuit, Wilkins uses a private firm to license his name and likeness on jerseys, athletic apparel and memorabilia.

“Based upon the notoriety (Wilkins) achieved during his playing career, he continues to generate income on sales of sports-related memorabilia, such as authentic NBA jerseys,” the complaint said.

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The complaint accused the companies of “routinely” selling items “bearing counterfeit or infringing marks of well-known trademark owners.” Among those items are goods that use Wilkins’ name, the complaint said.

The complaint said the companies hide their identities and provide fake contact information to avoid being detected. They will sometimes go as far as obscuring Wilkins’ name in their marketplace to keep from being discovered, the complaint said.

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Wilkins, who played for the Hawks from 1982 to 1994, said he had not authorized the companies to sell any goods with his name on them.

“On information and belief, (the companies) are acting with knowledge that (Wilkins) is well-known and are willfully selling their counterfeit products with knowledge that they use plaintiff’s name without permission,” the complaint said.

The complaint asked that the companies be “permanently enjoined and restrained” from using Wilkins’ name for their products. It also asked that the profits made from those items be directed back to Wilkins as damages.

Wilkins ranks 13th on the NBA's all-time scoring list (26,668) and was a nine-time All-Star in his 17-year career. He retired in 1999.

Wilkins became the third player in Hawks history to have his uniform number retired in 2001. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame five years later.

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