In recent days, reports have emerged of an application to the UK Intellectual Property Office by Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club (“BHAFC”) to trade mark the terms ALBION and THE ALBION.
The news has attracted media attention; in particular, because the word is included within the name of several other professional football clubs in the UK, including West Bromwich Albion and Burton Albion.
See here for an explanation of the possible motives behind BHAFC’s trade mark application and an overview of why football clubs might now be looking to take an increasingly ‘commercialised’ approach to their business operations.
"Brighton have made the application to protect their commercial assets and rights from exploitation, primarily in terms of fake or unofficial merchandise, counterfeit goods or the unauthorised use of the Albion word in football."
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