In 2011, soccer player Lionel Messi registered the term “MESSI” for sportswear and sporting goods as a European Union word mark. The trademark owner of the sign “MASSI” filed an opposition against this, as he saw a likelihood of confusion between the two signs. Following different decisions by the European Trade Mark Office and the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Justice has now ruled. There is no likelihood of confusion between the two signs within the relevant public. The fame of the person Lionel Messi plays a decisive role in this. The name is so well-known that it is not easily confused with other terms (ECJ, judgment of 17 September 2020, ref.: C-449/18).
Trademark application in bad faith as leverage in competition
Trademark applications in bad faith: How abusive registrations lead to a blocking position and circumvent competition law – an EGC case.