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The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and Trademark Law Issues related to this upcoming Association Football (Soccer) Gala : Fans and Press Excepted

By Andis Kaulins

The Times Online suggests that one Steer clear of ambushing the World Cup [trademarks] as the FIFA (= International Federation of Association Football viz. Fédération Internationale de Football Association) guards its trademarks actively.

Take a look at the World Cup Blog for a list of FIFA World Cup phrases for which the FIFA has applied for a trademark.

Out-Law.com in FIFA wins World Cup trade mark dispute writes, quoting Jérôme Valcke, Director of FIFA Marketing and TV:

"We will continue to aggressively protect FIFA's and the FIFA Partners' rights against the unfair commercial exploitation of FIFA's marks and any similar ambush marketing activities in the future. This case provides a strong legal precedent for FIFA's future enforcement efforts," he added.

FIFA said the ruling will not prevent genuine football fans from continuing to use the marks for their non-commercial 'fan sites' or the press from using FIFA's marks for their editorial news coverage." [emphasis added by LawPundit]

Full post as published by LawPundit on May 28, 2010 (boomark / email).