A Costa Rican supermarket, "Súper Mario," has won a surprising legal battle against Nintendo over trademark rights to the name. The supermarket successfully defended its use of the name, arguing it was a combination of its business type and the manager's first name, Mario. The dispute began in 2024 when Nintendo challenged the supermarket's trademark renewal, claiming infringement on their globally recognized Super Mario brand.
However, the supermarket's legal team proved the name wasn't intended to profit from Nintendo's intellectual property. Their defense successfully demonstrated the name's straightforward connection to the supermarket's nature and the manager's name.
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Charito, the supermarket owner's son who registered the trademark in 2013, expressed relief and gratitude to his legal advisor, Jose Edgardo Jimenez Blanco, for navigating the complex legal challenge. He acknowledged the daunting prospect of facing a massive corporation like Nintendo but emphasized their determination to prevail.
While Nintendo holds exclusive rights to the Super Mario trademark in many countries across various products, this case underscores the complexities of trademark disputes. It highlights the challenges faced by global brands when smaller businesses have legitimate claims to a similar name. The outcome serves as a reminder that even powerful companies can face legal setbacks in protecting their intellectual property.
