EUTM Applications Draw Attention at the World Cup

Benzema, Mbappé, Messi, Ronaldo, Vinicius, Neymar… They are among the best not only in football but also in intellectual property.

Every player from the 36 participants in the 2022 FIFA World Cup has at least one European Union Trademark (EUTM).

Here's the ranking of the top 10:

1. Ronaldo - 6 EUTM
2. Mbappé - 5 EUTM (notable for his iconic celebration and one of his most remembered sayings: "Moi tu m'parles pas d'âge" – "Don't talk to me about age") + 3 additional EUTMs are under examination.
3. Messi - 4 EUTM (including products with his signature)
4. Vinicius Jr - 3 EUTM + “Baila Vini Jr” has been registered.
5. Mané - 3 EUTM
6. Bailly - 3 EUTM
7. Sané - 3 EUTM
8. Neymar - 2 EUTM
9. Lewandowski - 2 EUTM
10. Benzema - 2 EUTM

However, intellectual property rights are not only utilized among players but also in other areas. European Union trademarks protect various brands, logos, and names, including numerous applications and registrations related to the tournament name and trophy. For example, most of the shoes, shirts, and the ball are registered designs. VAR itself is a patented technology.