The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has rejected the Athletics’ applications to trademark “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics,” a Dec. 29 decision that the league says is a routine procedural step rather than a final denial.

The USPTO’s non-final action cites the generic nature of the word “Athletics” when applied to athletic events and notes that the team has not yet begun playing in Las Vegas. The applications remain live, and Major League Baseball, which manages trademarks for all 30 clubs, has six months to file for an extension and respond.

An MLB source characterized the action as standard, saying the league has handled hundreds of similar office actions for other teams. MLB plans to reply within the deadline to protect the Athletics’ rights. The team deferred comment to MLB.

Meanwhile, the trademark for “Las Vegas A’s” has advanced: the USPTO entered a notice of publication on Dec. 10, and barring opposition, it will be officially registered on Jan. 16.

The Athletics originally filed for the Las Vegas-based trademarks on Nov. 12, 2023, three days before MLB owners unanimously approved the relocation. The USPTO said it did not consider the team’s existing trademarks from previous cities — Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland — in its decision.

Similar issues have arisen with filings for “Athletics” (the name used during the Sacramento interim period) and “Sacramento Athletics,” which were also denied.

The $2 billion ballpark at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue is more than 10 percent complete and on schedule for the 2028 season.