CrossFit unhappy over misuse of name
A representative of CrossFit, LLC legal department expresses the importance of knowing that CrossFit is a trademarked company and will not tolerate the misuse of its name.
In a recent article regarding a Benoni competitor who competed in the CrossFit Open, the City Times referred to MHC Fitness and Rehab Centre as CrossFit MHC.
The gym is, however, not a registered CrossFit facility.
We approached MHC for clarification.
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“Firstly, we would like to thank Jemma Pringle for writing such a great article about Julanka and MHC Fitness and Sports Rehab Centre,” said Ruan Röhm, owner of MHC.
“The CrossFit Open is a worldwide online competition that allows the whole community to participate in the hope of qualifying for the annual CrossFit Games.
“Anyone can enter the online Open competition, whether you are affiliated to the CrossFit box or a private facility.
There are just a few rules and regulations that the facility needs to adhere to.
“We are very proud of Julanka and all of our members who did participate in the online Open and apologise for the misuse of our name as provided to the City Times by Julanka.
“We used to run under the name of CrossFit MHC about a year ago and decided to move away from the brand due to a few racial issues that occurred from the head office in the USA last year.
“Our official business name is MHC Fitness and Sport Rehab Centre.”
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Meilani Rivera from the CrossFit LLC legal department explained CrossFit LLC owns hundreds of trademark registrations worldwide, including multiple registrations in South Africa.
“LLC may advertise and offer CrossFit® brand training and use the CrossFit trademark, subject to various conditions, only when affiliate licensees have completed a training course, passed a certification exam and have signed an agreement with CrossFit.
“CrossFit MHC is no longer a licensed affiliate as their affiliation ended on July 8, 2019, thus they are not authorised to offer CrossFit brand training nor use the CrossFit® trademark in its facility and online marketing.
“We have contacted them regarding their continued use and have received no response.”
