Liverpool FC has lost its controversial attempt to trademark the word ‘Liverpool’.
The club always maintained that its pursuit of trademarking the term was solely down to footballing reasons and to hinder those aiming to profit from ‘inauthentic products’. However, the IPO cited the geographical importance of the city in its decision not to allow the trademarking.
In a statement, Liverpool FC said: “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.
“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, added: “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.
The plans were met with much hostility, including from one of the club’s most renowned supporter’s groups, Spirit of Shankly, who described the decision of the IPO as ‘a victory for common sense’.
When the notion first came to light, the group emphasised the far reaching consequences the decision could have: “For decades, local traders outside of Anfield have sold scarfs, hats, T-shirts etc and for many it’s their sole source of income. Scores of those T-shirts have been, and still are, happily worn by players, past and present. These traders provide a vibrant alternative to the club’s official merchandise and are bought by thousands of fans every matchday. What happens to them? The list goes on.”
