Liverpool have reportedly applied for a trademark for the word ‘Liverpool’ in the context of football products and services.
The Reds have had a real issue with counterfeit products, especially in Asian countries. As per SportBusiness, Liverpool sold a cut-price version of its new home kit in China back in 2017 so that fans did not buy duplicate products.
But it’s pretty clear these cut-price merchandises have not solved any major problems since Liverpool are walking down the same road as Chelsea.
In 2016 Chelsea FC trademarked its name for use on all clothing items to try to prevent unofficial merchandise sellers and protect its brand.
“We are applying to register ‘Liverpool’ as a trademark but only in the context of football products and services,” a Liverpool spokesperson told SportBusiness.
“We are not and wouldn’t ever, seek to register ‘Liverpool’ across the board
“This application is strictly to protect the club and supporters from those benefitting from inauthentic products.
“The benefits to the club to have this protection in place are to ensure all revenues from official products and services are channelled back into the club and this is reinvested into the team and supporting infrastructure.”
If this application is accepted then no one will be able to use the name of Anfield outfit in football products and services.
In case of Chelsea when the trademark was accepted the traders selling unofficial friendship scarves carrying the club’s name outside the stadium were given three matches by the local council to sell off their existing stock before facing punishment(according to reports).
And if sources are to be believed then a similar time frame will be given to the sellers if the word ‘Liverpool’ is trademarked by the Anfield outfit.
