Football

Liverpool FC fail in move to trademark the word ‘Liverpool’


Liverpool FC’s attempt to trademark the word ‘Liverpool’ has been rejected by the government’s Intellectual Property Office due to the “geographical significance” of the city.

The club’s trademark application came to light two months ago, with the club insisting it was purely “in the context of football products and services” and to stop people benefitting from the sale of what they described as “inauthentic products” relating to Jürgen Klopp’s European champions.

Despite the club’s insistence that all revenue from protected services and products using the word ‘Liverpool’ would be channelled into reinvestment – namely on transfers and the stadium – the trademark bid sparked outrage within Liverpool FC’s own fanbase, as well as from outside supporters and observers. Not surprisingly, there was joy and relief among the same people when the IPO’s decision was confirmed on Thursday.

“The club accepts the decision that has been taken by the Intellectual Property Office, due primarily to what the official judgement cites as ‘the geographical significance’ of Liverpool as a city in comparison to place names that have been trademarked by other football clubs in the UK,” read a Liverpool statement. “We will, however, continue to aggressively pursue those large-scale operations which seek to illegally exploit our intellectual property and would urge the relevant authorities to take decisive action against such criminal activity wherever it exists.”

Peter Moore, the club’s chief executive officer, said: “It should be stressed that our application was put forward in good faith and with the sole aim of protecting and furthering the best interests of the club and its supporters. Nevertheless, we accept the decision and the spirit in which it has been made.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to reiterate our thanks to all those who engaged with us throughout this process, most notably independent traders and local football clubs.”

Spirit of Shankly, a leading Liverpool FC supporters union, described the IPO’s rejection of the trademark application as a “victory for common sense”. A statement added: “SOS were clear at the outset that the word ‘Liverpool’ is not for FSG [Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners] or anybody else to own – it belongs to the city of Liverpool and its people. We should all be allowed to use it freely, however we see fit, without fear of legal letters dropping through our doors.

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“LFC have enough legal remedies from their current trademarks to address any issues they may have. Any more is unnecessary.”



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