Can CM Punk Still Use Ring Name If He Leaves?

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As noted earlier here on the website, WWE recently trademarked CM Punk's name for merchandising. That usually means WWE has plans to release a new line of products for the talent. Punk has had issues in the past with giving WWE use of his name. It's possible the two sides have reached some sort of agreement.

With that being said, Punk can still use the name once/if he leaves the company because he brought the name with him when he first started with WWE. Punk created the intellectual property but WWE now has the right to merchandise the CM Punk name and likeness.