Liverpool FC: We want to trademark our Liver Bird - Liverpool Echo.co.uk
Liverpool FC: We want to trademark our Liver Bird
LIVERPOOL FC is attempting to trademark the Liver Bird.
The club has applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office for permission to protect its version of the city’s iconic symbol.
Anfield officials said it was only the image appearing on its famous red jerseys which it wanted to trademark.
Spokesman Ian Cotton said the club had no intention of challenging the use of the Liver Bird by organisations such as Liverpool council or Royal Liver Assurance, whose riverside HQ is home to the two best-known versions of the city’s symbol.
Mr Cotton said the application was aimed at hitting counterfeiters, who cost Liverpool a “substantial” amount of money in rip-off clothing and souvenirs.
He said: “We are talking about the LFC version specifically and not a generic version.
“We want to protect our version because it is being used by counterfeiters.”
The club crest is already protected, but Mr Cotton said unscrupulous manufacturers had lifted the Liver Bird off it to use on a range of goods.
He added: “Because our crest is protected, they have taken the bird out on its own.
“We have absolutely no intention of pursuing someone like Liverpool council for their use of the Liver Bird.”
Liverpool’s application lists a massive range of uses the trademark would protect, such as jewellery, building materials, paper, photographs, printed publications, stationery, bags, household goods like oven mitts and utensils, and clothing from T-shirts to slippers and underwear.
A spokesman for the Institute of Trademark Attorneys said anyone wishing to use Liverpool’s version of the Liver Bird would have to apply to them for a licence.
Today, the club’s desire to trademark the Liver Bird attracted criticism.
Deputy council leader Flo Clucas said: “This is outrageous. The Liver Bird belongs to all the people of Liverpool, not one company or organisation.
“We are taking legal advice on the best steps we can take to ensure the Liver Bird remains the proud emblem of the whole city and not the private property of one commercial company.”
Royal Liver Assurance spokesman Cara Newton added: “The Liver Birds are the internationally recognised emblem of our city.
“They belong to us all and we, along with the other companies and organisations which use the symbol, are purely the custodians for the people of Liverpool.”
Liverpool FC: We want to trademark our Liver Bird
LIVERPOOL FC is attempting to trademark the Liver Bird.
The club has applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office for permission to protect its version of the city’s iconic symbol.
Anfield officials said it was only the image appearing on its famous red jerseys which it wanted to trademark.
Spokesman Ian Cotton said the club had no intention of challenging the use of the Liver Bird by organisations such as Liverpool council or Royal Liver Assurance, whose riverside HQ is home to the two best-known versions of the city’s symbol.
Mr Cotton said the application was aimed at hitting counterfeiters, who cost Liverpool a “substantial” amount of money in rip-off clothing and souvenirs.
He said: “We are talking about the LFC version specifically and not a generic version.
“We want to protect our version because it is being used by counterfeiters.”
The club crest is already protected, but Mr Cotton said unscrupulous manufacturers had lifted the Liver Bird off it to use on a range of goods.
He added: “Because our crest is protected, they have taken the bird out on its own.
“We have absolutely no intention of pursuing someone like Liverpool council for their use of the Liver Bird.”
Liverpool’s application lists a massive range of uses the trademark would protect, such as jewellery, building materials, paper, photographs, printed publications, stationery, bags, household goods like oven mitts and utensils, and clothing from T-shirts to slippers and underwear.
A spokesman for the Institute of Trademark Attorneys said anyone wishing to use Liverpool’s version of the Liver Bird would have to apply to them for a licence.
Today, the club’s desire to trademark the Liver Bird attracted criticism.
Deputy council leader Flo Clucas said: “This is outrageous. The Liver Bird belongs to all the people of Liverpool, not one company or organisation.
“We are taking legal advice on the best steps we can take to ensure the Liver Bird remains the proud emblem of the whole city and not the private property of one commercial company.”
Royal Liver Assurance spokesman Cara Newton added: “The Liver Birds are the internationally recognised emblem of our city.
“They belong to us all and we, along with the other companies and organisations which use the symbol, are purely the custodians for the people of Liverpool.”
