MESSI WINS COURT CASE

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been offered the trademark rights to his personal logo after winning  a european Union court challenge.

A Spanish cycling clothing manufacturer owning the name Massi filed a observe of opposition to the original registration of Messi’s trademark in 2011, claiming it might cause confusion with its already registered brand.

However, the General Court of the European Union ruled in Messi’s favour on Thursday after a seven-year battle, overturning the European Union Office for Intellectual Property’s (EUIPO) original ruling.
The decision means Messi is free to use his own branding as he wishes on sports and gymnastics clothing, footwear and equipment across the EU.
The General Court argued that he is so well known around the world that any similarities between the trademarks would be basically redundant.
“The football player’s fame counteracts the visual and phonetic similarities between his trademark and the trademark ‘MASSI,’ belonging to a Spanish company,” a statement said.