Ultimately, the USPTO will have to weigh which application to accept — Williams’, which was filed first, or Gervin’s, supported by his use of the nickname years before Williams was born.
There’s also another factor that could become an obstacle for both of them: Chuck Liddell, a retired MMA fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, applied for the trademark “Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell” in 2023.
His application, with a similar nickname, is technically first in line.
External discussions will continue, although Williams and Gervin could presumably discuss the issue and eventually try to reach their own agreement.
“I’m sure he and I will have a chance to talk,” Gervin said. “I can kind of bet on that. We’re both men. I’m an older man. He’s a younger man. I’m researching him, what I found out about him, he respects older athletes.
“I hate it the most because, man, he’s a special young guy who’s getting ready to come up. His potential is great and he’s got ice in his veins. But that name is already taken.”
As time goes on, the ice between Williams and Gervin may thaw.