XtraTime Web Desk: World football legend David Beckham is in some serious trouble as Inter Milan are reportedly planning to take legal action against Beckham’s new Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami.
The Italian club are unhappy with the use of ‘Inter’ in the new side’s branding, according to Calciomercato.
The Milan-based side claim the name infringes on a trademark application it filed in the United States, something the MLS opposes.
They say the use of ‘Inter’ is descriptive and is commonly used by football sides worldwide.
In a trademark dispute document filed by the league on March 25, as per ProSoccer USA, the MLS contends that: ‘The use of ‘INTER’ is merely descriptive of Inter Milan and its goods and services, relying on the grounds laid by examining attorneys.
‘The term ‘INTER’ is short for ‘international’ and ‘INTER’ is commonly used to describe soccer teams.
‘Because of the widespread use of the term ‘INTER’ in soccer, the relevant consumers do not associate the term ‘INTER’ with one soccer team; ‘INTER’ by itself is not a source indicator in connection with goods and services associated with soccer, ‘INTER’ has not become distinctive as used on, or in connection with, the applicant’s goods and services in the United States.’
Beckham has faced a number of hurdles to get his MLS project off the ground and the Inter Milan dispute appears to be only the latest.