The General Court of the European Union has ruled in case T-809/19 Nacional de Fútbol Profesional v EUIPO.
This dispute concerns an attempt for registration of the following European trademark in class 41:
The EUIPO issued a refusal based on absolute grounds – descriptiveness and lack of distinctive character.
As it is well-known among all football fans ‘El Clasico’ is a term used for matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona, two of the most famous football clubs in the world.
The decision was appealed.
According to the Court, the meaning of the phrase is for something classic, conventional or usual because of which it is not distinctive for the services in class 41. What’s more this is a term used for the above mentioned football match which is considered to be a classic sport event.
The Court dismissed all evidence for acquired distinctiveness. The fact that ‘El Clasico’ is very popular among football fans is not enough in order a distinctive character to be proved. There was no evidence that this term has served as a source of trade origin related to the services in class 41. The Court considered that there was no commercial link with the trademark applicant that was established by the sign.
Another interesting moment here is the fact that both clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona filed oppositions against this trademark based on their reputation as football clubs.
Recently there was a similar case with a trademark application for ‘El Clasico’ in Japan. Although the Patent Office initially refused the mark, the Board of Appeal allowed it stating that for the Japanese consumers the sign do not evoke strong associations with the football math. In addition the fact that it is written in foreign language contributes to its basic level of inherent distinctiveness.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PLANET 