Open Championship Series Hits Back After Federal Appeal Revives USASF Worlds Trademark War

The legal battle over the use of the terms "The Cheerleading Worlds" and "Worlds" took another turn Thursday, as The Open Championship Series and Deep South Spirit released a public statement responding to a recent federal appeals court decision that revived the U.S. All Star Federation's trademark claims.

The statement comes one day after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that a jury—not a judge—should determine whether the marks are generic and whether they are entitled to trademark protection. The appellate court reversed portions of a lower court's summary judgment ruling that had favored the defendants, sending the case back to the district court for further proceedings.

In its statement, The Open Championship Series argues that the appellate decision should not be interpreted as a victory for the USASF.

"The recent appellate ruling in the trademark lawsuit did not change a thing," the organization said. "The court did not say USASF owns the word 'Worlds,' and it did not say USASF even has a valid claim."

The organization also emphasized that the appeals court rejected several of the USASF's legal arguments and maintained that the central issue is simply whether a jury should hear the case.

David, one of the defendants in the lawsuit and a leader of The Open Championship Series and Deep South Spirit, echoed that position in a separate statement provided to Cheer Daily.

"I don't believe this ruling is a win for the USASF. It's simply a decision that a jury should hear the case. The court did not decide that the USASF owns the word 'Worlds,' and it rejected many of the arguments the USASF has made throughout this litigation. I'm excited to finally tell my story and show how the Open Series and Deep South have fought to bring positive change, open competition, and more opportunities to the cheer industry."

The Open Championship Series also renewed its criticism of the lawsuit itself, arguing that the litigation has become a distraction from broader issues facing competitive cheerleading.

According to the statement, the organization has already reached settlements with the International Cheer Union (ICU), the International All Star Federation (IASF), and Varsity, leaving the USASF as the only remaining plaintiff actively pursuing the dispute.

The organization further argued that competition within the event industry ultimately benefits athletes, gyms, and event producers, stating that it intends to continue expanding opportunities through its championship series regardless of the ongoing litigation.

What Happens Next

The appellate ruling does not resolve the trademark dispute or determine who ultimately prevails.

Instead, it returns the case to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, where the parties will continue litigation. Unless the case is settled before trial, a jury will be asked to decide key factual questions, including whether the trademarks function as protectable source identifiers or whether the challenged terms are generic within the cheerleading industry.

For now, both sides are claiming the appeals court supports aspects of their positions. What the ruling definitively establishes is that the dispute is not over—and that a jury will likely have the opportunity to hear evidence from both sides before a final decision is reached.