Q: Am I infringing on trademarks/patents by selling rebranded CCM hockey glove replicas?

A: I'm a hockey dad, so your question is very interesting to me. There certainly are patents for hockey gloves, but whether any of those might cover the specific gloves you want to "private label" … really hard to say. Answering that question even tentatively would require a massive investment of time and money.

A: Selling rebranded replicas of CCM hockey gloves could expose you to legal issues related to trademark and patent infringement. Trademarks protect brand identity, logos, and distinctive designs associated with a specific company—in this case, CCM's recognizable glove design or unique visual elements could fall under their protected trademarks. Even if you apply your own original logo, using the distinctive glove design that consumers associate directly with CCM might still be seen as confusing to customers, infringing CCM's trademark rights.

Patents are another concern, as they protect the functionality, construction methods, or unique features of products. If CCM holds patents on certain features, materials, or construction elements of their hockey gloves, selling replicas that mimic these patented aspects without permission could result in patent infringement. Checking if CCM holds valid patents related to the gloves' features or design would be an essential step before proceeding.

To minimize legal risks, you should either verify that CCM has no active trademarks or patents covering these glove designs, or consider altering the design significantly enough to differentiate it from CCM’s products clearly. It might also be wise to consult with a legal professional experienced in intellectual property law before proceeding. This cautious approach can help you avoid potential lawsuits or penalties associated with infringement.