Nintendo, the gaming and console giant, has faced an unexpected defeat in a trademark lawsuit in Costa Rica. The company lost its case against a local supermarket using the name “Super Mario” and failed to secure the trademark rights for the name. Here’s the full story!
Super Mario Market’s Unexpected Victory!
Located in San Ramon, Costa Rica, a supermarket named “Super Mario” caught Nintendo’s attention. The name stemmed from the store’s owner, Don Jose Mario Alfaro González, and had been legally used for decades. However, last year, when Mario’s son, Carlos Alfaro, attempted to renew the trademark, Nintendo stepped in and objected.
Nintendo argued that the Mario name was globally trademarked for their brands and that the name could not be used. However, Costa Rican trademark authorities noted that Nintendo had not explicitly registered the name for supermarkets, leading the court to rule in favor of the market. The Alfaro family emphasized that the local community had known them as “Super Mario” for years and that the name applied only to their supermarket chain.
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After the ruling, Carlos Alfaro shared his victory on Facebook. He mentioned that it was tough to fight against such a large company, saying, “There was a moment when we thought about giving up, but we won in the end. Now, the Super Mario name is here to stay!”
Nintendo is known for taking an aggressive approach in protecting intellectual property rights, having previously fought legal battles against fan-made projects, ROM sites, and counterfeit products. However, this defeat in a lawsuit against a local business is seen as a significant blow to Nintendo’s brand protection strategy.
This development may lead Nintendo to adopt a more cautious approach in future trademark cases. What do you think about this case? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
