What have a Spartan South Midlands League club and the FA got in common? Too much, according to the latter.
Just before Christmas, it emerged that the FA had successfully applied to strip non-League Wembley FC of the trademark they held on their club badge. Despite not having objected in 2012, when the club first registered the badge, the FA was now apparently concerned people may confuse Wembley FC with Wembley Stadium.
After the row went public, claim and counterclaim flew. The club alleged the FA was pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy. The FA shot back that Wembley had forced its hand by being obstructive to legitimate trademarking efforts.
Whoever’s to blame, it’s come to something when the guardian of the game’s grassroots finds itself taking ruinously expensive legal action against a 70-year-old, ninth-tier club – Wembley are in the Spartan South Midlands League – with whom it had previously coexisted peacefully.
In legal filings, the FA’s specialist firm of intellectual property lawyers claimed that the trademarks of both parties are “highly similar… visually, phonetically and conceptually”. This, they said, meant that “English-speaking Europeans” might struggle to distinguish a non-League club from one of the world’s most famous sports and entertainment venues. Absurd as this sounds to most football fans, it’s a claim that was accepted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
