Zinedine Zidane Head-Butted By Trademark?
“Zhao Xiaokai, general manager of a sport-related company, paid 2,000 yuan ($250) to register the trademark — a silhouette of Zidane head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi’s chest — for shoes, hats and beer products, the Beijing Daily said.“
Now Zhao is inviting bids of one million yuan for the rights to use the image of Zidane’s head-butt. Some beer companies have expressed interest.
““This recognition level of this trademark is very high. Using a silhouette to render this image avoids violating the soccer star’s image rights,” Zhao said.“
IPKat points here to possible infringements of:
- rights of personality;
- privacy;
- unfair competition;
- passing off.
Read Reuters’ article here.
