Nintendo faces unexpected setback in Costa Rican trademark dispute. A Costa Rican supermarket, "Súper Mario," successfully defended its trademark against Nintendo's challenge. The court ruled in favor of the supermarket, accepting their argument that the name was a legitimate combination of their business type and the manager's first name, Mario.
The legal battle began in 2024 when Nintendo contested the renewal of the supermarket's trademark, claiming infringement on their globally recognized Super Mario brand. The supermarket's owner's son, Charito, originally registered the trademark in 2013.
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However, the supermarket's legal team, led by Jose Edgardo Jimenez Blanco, successfully argued that the name wasn't intended to capitalize on Nintendo's intellectual property. The court accepted this defense.
Charito expressed relief and gratitude to his legal team, stating they almost gave up facing such a large corporation. The victory ensures the continued operation of "Súper Mario."
While Nintendo holds exclusive rights to the Super Mario trademark in many countries across various product categories, this case underscores the challenges of protecting intellectual property, particularly when faced with legitimate, non-infringing uses of similar names by smaller businesses. The outcome serves as a reminder that even major corporations can encounter unexpected legal hurdles.
