Manchester City Face Another Lawsuit
Manchester City has been hit with a High Court claim from clothing brand Superdry, alleging trademark infringement.
The dispute relates to City’s training kit sponsor, Asahi, and the promotion of the beer brand’s new non-alcoholic options, Asahi Super Dry 0.0%.
UK fashion brand Superdry has claimed, that ‘the differences between Super ‘Dry’ and Superdry are so insignificant that they may go unnoticed by the average consumer.’
The company has now requested an ‘injunction to restrain’ the Premier League champions from using its name.
Superdry is also pushing for reimbursement on costs, although it is ‘presently unable to quantify the exact financial value of this claim.’
Phillip Roberts KC, acting on behalf of Superdry in the case, said, “the sponsored kit is identical to each of the selected goods and isidentical with or similar to the mark for which the Superdry Registrations are registered in relation to goods identical with or similar to those for which the Superdry Registrations are registered, in circumstances liable to give rise to a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public.”
“The defendant [City] is hereby called upon to confirm whether it is using or intending to use the sign(s) complained of in relation to any Class 25 goods beyond the sponsored kit, in order that the selected goods relied upon can be expanded to the extent necessary without undue case management disruption.”
“The Defendant threatens and intends to perpetuate (alternatively, to commence) the acts complained of hereinabove. By reason of the aforesaid acts the claimants have suffered damage and/or will suffer damage in the future unless restrained by this honourable court.”
“Accordingly, the Claimants will seek damages in accordance with Article 13 of Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, as retained law, to include inter alia any unfair profits made by the infringer by reason of the infringement.”
Manchester City, that partnered with Asahi in July 2023 is also facing charges over 115 Financial Fairplay (FFP) Breaches.
Stay up to date with the world of sports business by subscribing to the Sport Industry Daily.
