Lionel Messi wins legal battle to trademark famous surname after NINE long years

After nine long years, Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has finally been granted permission to trademark his last name 'Messi.' European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Messi's favour on Thursday, dismissing appeals from Spanish cycling company Massi and  European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). 

Lionel Messi to trademark his surname? ECJ rules in Barca star's favour

Lionel Messi first applied to trademark his surname as a sportswear brand in 2011. However, Argentinian's quest to launch a brand by his own name faced a major setback after Massi, a Spanish brand that sells cycling outfits and equipment, filed an appeal suggesting similarity in name and logo between two brands will create a lot of confusion among consumers. 

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Spanish cycling company was successful with his initial appeal in 2013. However, same was kcked back in 2018 by EU's General Court. claim by  EU's General Court was that Lionel Messi was too well kwn as a sporting icon for any claimed confusion to arise.  European Court of Justice upheld 2018 ruling, reby confirming that Barcelona star can finally be able to launch his own brand by name 'Messi.'

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Lionel Messi's future at Barcelona has recently been most talked-about topic in football world. 33-year-old took entire sporting community by storm when he demanded an exit from Barcelona, on a free transfer. He sent a fax document to club, tifying m his intention to trigger unique clause in his contract that would allow him to 'unilaterally' terminate his Barca contract. 

Messi's request was kcked back by club, who maintained deadline to trigger clause had expired and that any club interested in Messi, would have to pay his €700 million buyout in full. 33-year-old avoided being pulled into a legal stand-off with club and confirmed that he will stay at Camp u for 2020-21 season.

Lionel Messi also started training with club ahead of start of new campaign. He since played a part in Barca's two friendly matches against Gimnastic and Girona, respectively. Catalan giants won both matches, 3-1, with Messi starring in an attacking unit also featuring Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann. Barcelona will play a third friendly on Saturday, September 19, against Elche. club will kickstart its new campaign on Sunday, September 27, with a LaLiga home game against Villarreal. 

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(Im Credits: AP)