Lionel Messi Wins Lawsuit To Trademark His Name

For seven years, Lionel Messi has been fighting to have his name trademark for sports materials and he finally has won the legal right to do so.
The Barcelona player filed for a trademark of his name at the European Union Office for Intelligent Property (EUIOP) in 2001, but it was challenged by a Spaniard sportswear  brand Massi, which argued that the Argentine's name sounds very similar to it trademark name.
On Thursday, European General court finally ruled over the case and upheld the footballer's application for trademark, on the ground that he is famous enough not to have his name confused with rival sportswear brand like Massi.
In a statement released by the court, it says: "Mr Messi is, in fact, a well-known public figure who can be seen on television and who is regularly discussed on television or on the radio."
The 30-year-old has won eight league titles and four Champions League with Barcelona and also has won the Ballon d'Or five-time.