Mindy Kaling’s sports comedy series “Running Point” is set to premiere on Netflix on February 27, but it’s already facing a trademark infringement lawsuit. Pepperdine University has accused the show of misappropriating its brand, particularly with the logo for its fictional Los Angeles-based basketball team “The Waves”. The university claims that the show’s branding, including the team name, colors, and number ’37’, bears a striking resemblance to their existing Wave athletics program.
Pepperdine also expresses concerns about the series’ themes, which include explicit content, substance use, nudity, and profanity, stating that they are inconsistent with the university’s Christian values. The school has attempted to resolve the issue amicably with Netflix and Warner Bros., but both parties have refused to take any remedial action.
The lawsuit is a significant blow to the show just before its release. Created by Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, “Running Point” stars Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, who takes on the role of president of her family’s professional basketball franchise after a scandal forces her brother to resign. The series’ themes and branding have sparked controversy, with some speculating that it may be based on the life of executive producer Jeanie Buss.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/pepperdine-university-sues-netflix-warner-bros-running-point-trademark-infringement-1236298013