Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior has won a lawsuit over trademark rights against an entrepreneur from La Coruña, El País reported.
In 2018, the businessman registered a clothing brand under the name Vinicius. Both the Commercial Court of La Coruña and the Court of Appeal ruled that he had tried to capitalize on the player’s fame.
According to the defendant, Vinícius was not yet widely recognized at the time of the application, so consumers would not connect the trademark to the footballer. The court rejected that defense, concluding the entrepreneur was aware of the player’s rising profile and sought to profit from it.
The ruling fully upheld Vinícius’ claim, ordering the cancellation of the trademark and requiring the defendant to pay the player’s legal costs.
Vinícius, 25, has played for Real Madrid since 2018, when the club signed him from Flamengo for €45 million. His current market value is estimated at €170 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Notably, on Sept. 30, Real Madrid will play Kairat in Almaty in the Champions League group stage.
