IP Connect

UK: Jose Morinho’s Appointment as Manchester United Manager Delayed Due to his Trademark Rights

On May 27, 2016, Manchester United F.C. confirmed that Jose Mourinho has been appointed as their new manager. The announcement had been widely expected to arrive sooner, but was delayed due to an unexpected roadblock – Mourinho’s image rights.

Prior to signing for Manchester United, Jose Mourinho had two spells as the manager of Chelsea Football Club. He first joined them at the back of achieving unforeseeable success at Porto, in 2004. His first season at Chelsea saw him winning the Barclay’s Premier League title with a record 95 points tally. Therefore, Chelsea decided to capitalize on his rapidly increasing popularity and reputation by applying for registration of a trademark over his name, in 2005. The registration was applied for, at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on March 31, 2005, and was obtained on May 29, 2006. The registration was obtained for five classes of goods, with its expiry due on March 31, 2025. Following is a brief description of the goods covered under the five registered classes:

1. Class 3: After shave lotions, perfumery, hair care preparations, skin care preparations, etc.
2. Class 9: Smart cards, telephone cards, encrypted smart cards, CDs, DVDs, computer games, etc.
3. Class 14: Jewelry, clocks, cufflinks, cigar and cigarette holders, key rings, etc.
4. Class 18: Articles made of leather, suitcases, back packs, wallets, purses, etc.
5. Class 25: T-shirts, sweaters, cardigans, coats, jackets, articles of sports clothing, etc.

Obtaining a trademark over a personal name is allowed under European Union law. Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 of February 26, 2009 on the European Union trade mark gives the definition for EU trademarks: “An EU trade mark may consist of any signs capable of being represented graphically, particularly words, including personal names, designs, letters, numerals, the shape of goods or of their packaging, provided that such signs are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings”.

Chelsea also obtained a trademark over Jose Mourinho’s signature in 2006. Having obtained the rights over commercial exploitation of Mourinho’s name, Chelsea continued to hold these rights even after terminating his employment twice. This is a situation which is more or less unheard of, with Chelsea being designated as the owners of the European as well as UK trademark, and being capable of commercially exploiting the same till 2025, regardless of which other Football Club Mourinho joins.

Even after registration of his name by Chelsea, Mourinho had left Chelsea twice and was in charge of Italian club Internazionale and Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid. Chelsea’s trademark has not hindered his managing in either of those clubs and may not be a barrier this time too.

Eminent sports lawyer Carol Couse told BBC Sport that it was “really unusual” for an individual not to own the trademark to their own name, and she believes that Manchester United will pay a six-figure sum to license its own coach’s name, because it will be worth it to sell the merchandise. In order to get over this hurdle, the following options were available to United:

• To not use Mourinho's name against the exhaustive list of items that Chelsea have registered - from umbrellas to watch straps, lingerie and talcum powders.
• United pay Chelsea for a license so they can use Mourinho's name on club merchandise.
• To ask Mourinho to buy the trademark back.
• To challenge the trademark if they think they can prove it has not been used by Chelsea.

Details of Chelsea’s registration of the “JOSE MOURINHO” trademark at the EUIPO:

Name	JOSE MOURINHO
Filing Number	004365755
Basis	EUTM
Date of Receipt	31/03/2005
Type	Word
Nature	Individual
Classes	3, 9, 14, 18 and 25
Date of Registration	18/04/2006
Expiry Date	31/03/2025
Owners	Chelsea Football Club Limited

While Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as their manager, it is still unclear as to what the resolution of the trademark issue is. It remains unknown whether United have acquired or licensed the trademark from Chelsea, or are planning to do the same. Any future updates in this regard will prove to be interesting developments in the field of trademarks as well as sports law.