Lionel Messi wins trademark rights case in EU court

Argentina Captain, Lionel Messi won his trade mark rights legal battle over his personal logo.
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The Barcelona FC football idol won the case
after the European Union’s top court on Thursday dismissed an appeal against the player from a Spanish cycling clothing brand.

The EU court while dismissing the case in favour of Lionel Messi explained in a statement that it authorised the footballer to register the trade mark Messi.

The intellectual property suit appeal from the EU’s intellectual property office EUIPO and the Spanish company Massi was dismissed, thereby exonerated Lionel Messi of wrongdoing.

In 2011, Lionel Messi approached the Intellectual property office for a trade of his surname as a sportswear, footwear and equipment brand.

The trade mark was met with stiff opposition from the proprietors of Massi, who contended that the player’s brand would cause confusion to customers.

Though EU property office upheld their complaint in 2013, Messi’s appeal in 2018 was dismissed.

The statement added that the Court of Justice had dismissed an appeal by the clothing brand and EUIPO against the annulment.

It said the General Court was correct to say Messi’s reputation was a relevant factor in establishing a difference between the player’s brand and the cycling company.

The 33-year-old Messi has been named the world footballer of the year a record six times and is the all-time top scorer for FC Barcelona, Argentina and in Spanish football.

He was named the world’s wealthiest football player by Forbes earlier this month, pocketing an estimated 92 million dollars from his salary from Barca plus 34 million dollars in endorsements.

The Argentinian made global headlines last month for declaring his intention to leave FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire career.