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Sporting Giant Nike Sues Venum MMA/BJJ Brand

Sporting Giant Nike Sues Venum MMA/BJJ Brand

 

The sporting retailing giant Nike is suing the Brazilian MMA/ BJJ ‘Venum’  for alleged infringement of trademarks.

Venum currently sponsors some of the UFC’s best-known fighters, including featherweight champion Jose Aldo, Carlos Condit, Wanderlei Silva, Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua and BJJ world champions such as Rodolfo Vieira or Leandro Lo.

Nike is saying that the ‘Venum’ name violates their trademark on a ‘Venom’ line of sporting goods.

Sherdog.com has obtained a copy of the complaint, filed by Nike. The complaint alleges false designation of origin and unfair competition. The suit also seeks cancellation of Venum trademarks.

Nike registered ‘Venom’ as a trademark in 2005 after filing in 2003, whereas Venum was registered as a trademark 5 years later in 2008.

Nike is claiming that the Venum name causes confusion in the minds of their consumers and that Venum is being thought of as a Nike brand. Nike have recently ventured in MMA sponsoring such MMA stars as Jon Jones, Anderson or Junior Dos Santos. 

This suit is in fact a counter-suit since Venum, which is actually a French/Brazilian company, first sued Nike in France for using the term ‘Hypervenom’ on a European line of soccer boots.

Lyoto Machida, Jose Aldo and Rodolfo Vieira all sponsored by Venum

Lyoto Machida, Jose Aldo and Rodolfo Vieira all sponsored by Venum

Nike is seeking the destruction of all infringing products and the cancellation of the defendants’ trademarks, as well as an award of the defendants’ “profits, actual damages, enhanced profits and damages, punitive damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees…and such other and further relief as this court deems just and proper.”

This could be a dangerous move by Venum as Nike have very powerful lawyers and influence.

More news to follow soon.