Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, one of the World's
best soccer players has now yet another cause for celebration, as
he has now been allowed to register his own trademark for selling
sports equipment and clothing.
Messi filed an application in August 8, 2011, to register the
above trademark design. It covers classes 9, 25 and 28. This
trademark received an opposition from J.M.-E.V. E HIJOS, S.R.L.,
owner of trademark MASSI for cycling clothes and gear, and sports
related goods in general, in classes 9, 12, 18, 25, 28 and 35.
This opposition was admitted by the European Union IP Office
(EUIPO), and consequently Messi's application was rejected,
arguing that MESSI and MASSI were almost identical, visually and
phonetically. Needless to say, an appeal was promptly filed against
this resolution.
