A few months ago, famous football club Liverpool FC has applied a trademark application for ‘’Liverpool’’ for the football products and services[1]. However, it did not go well in different aspects!
According to the officials from Liverpool FC, the main aim is to protect their goods against the counterfeit products in compliance with the anti-counterfeiting enforcement. However, the subject trademark application has been rejected by the government’s Intellectual Property Office due to the “geographical significance” of the city. The decision was deemed as “victory for common sense”[2].
It should be noted that many people, including the Mayor of Liverpool, were pleased because of the decision of the government’s Intellectual Property Office. Furthermore, in addition the products in the market, there are lots of other amateur football clubs which include the denomination Liverpool such as AFC Liverpool, City of Liverpool F.C. and South Liverpool F.C. Considering that trademark registration prevents others to copy and use the registered trademark as the owner of a registered trademark can sue and collect damages from organizations that infringe upon the trademark; registration of the ‘’Liverpool’’ trademark would cause many damages which are unfair.
After the reactions, Liverpool FC has confirmed that the decision of the government’s Intellectual Property Office will not be appealed[3]; thus, Liverpool FC has accepted the rejection decision. On the other hand, Mayor of Liverpool has already pledged that they will oppose the trademark application.
Even tough, the attempt of Liverpool F.C. looks fair in respect to fighting with the counterfeit products; it has failed since no one can be the owner of city name.