MLS: Team ‘not in jeopardy’ of changing name after losing dispute with Inter Milan
Inter Miami CF may have lost the latest battle in their trademark dispute with Inter Milan, but it doesn’t mean they’re in danger of having to change their name.
Inter Milan filed a trademark application in 2014 for the commercial use of the term “Inter” in the United States, which would prevent Inter Miami or any other team from marketing themselves as “Inter.”
Major League Soccer — on Inter Miami’s behalf — filed an opposition to the claim in 2019, citing there being a “likelihood of confusion” and “Inter” being “merely descriptive.”
While the trademark office recently dismissed the likelihood of confusion claim, MLS and Inter Miami issued a statement Tuesday evening about the case saying it doesn’t concern Inter Miami’s (full name Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami) name or logo:
“It is Major League Soccer and Inter Miami CF policy not to comment on open litigation, but due to widespread confusion about the case and its implications, the Club will offer the following remarks.
“The trademark dispute between Major League Soccer and Inter Milan focuses on whether Inter Milan can claim an exclusive trademark ownership of, and the right to use, the commonly used term ”Inter“standing alone in commercial activity. The litigation does not concern the brand name or brand marks for Inter Miami CF, whose formal franchise name is Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami. The Club is not in jeopardy of changing its trademark-approved name or marks.”
Inter Milan, full name Football Club Internazionale Milano, will reportedly be changing their name to Inter Milano in March.