Pepperdine Challenges Running Point Trademark Dismissal on Appeal
Pepperdine filed its Ninth Circuit opening brief in the trademark dispute over Netflix's Running Point, whose fictional basketball team uses the Waves name. The university argues that the show's team identity and promotional uses of Waves function as branding, not just elements of an expressive work. The October 2 brief challenges the district court's dismissal of claims against Netflix, Warner Bros., and Kaling International. It is Pepperdine's appellate argument, not a new ruling.
TrademarkOctober 7, 2026