A European court has ruled that Lionel Messi, the world's top-earning footballer, can trademark his own name.
The Barcelona and Argentina striker fought a seven-year fight to be able to use his name on sports goods.
His original application was challenged by the Spanish cycling brand, Massi, which argued that the names were too similar and would cause confusion.
But the EU's General Court ruled that the footballer was too well known for confusion to arise.
The ruling comes days after France Football magazine reported Mr Messi had overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest earner in football, with an income of €126m (£108m).
Mr Ronaldo is making €94m, the magazine said.
'Fame'
Mr Messi's application to trademark his name was made to the European Union Office for Intellectual Property (EUIPO) in 2011.
It ruled against the footballer, saying the names were similar, because their dominant elements, "consisting of the terms 'Massi' and 'Messi', are almost identical visually and phonetically".
EUIPO said that only some people would be aware the two were different.
But the General Court, the EU's second highest court, disagreed.
It said on Thursday: "The football player's fame counteracts the visual and phonetic similarities" with Massi.
"Mr Messi is, in fact, a well-known public figure who can be seen on television and who is regularly discussed on television or on the radio," the court said.
Widely considered one of the world's greatest soccer players, Mr Messi, 30, scored his 600th professional goal last month and is the all-time highest scorer for both Barcelona and Argentina's national team.
Latest Stories
-
We don’t feel safe after inconsiderate conduct of Regional Minister – Ashanti ECG staff
5 mins -
Ghana needs urgent reset and inspiring leadership – Mahama
1 hour -
Asiedu Nketia cautions NDC: Don’t be complacent, election 2024 victory isn’t assured yet
1 hour -
Ongoing power crisis worst in the 4th Republic- Alhassan Suhuyini
1 hour -
Power challenges would be over in the next few days – Herbert Krapa
1 hour -
Full text: Acceptance speech by Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as Mahama’s running mate
1 hour -
Government’s fiscal adjustment on track – Report
2 hours -
Commercial drivers damn threats, unilaterally hike transport fares
2 hours -
Restore dignity to Vice President’s office – Fifi Kwetey to Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang
2 hours -
Women face mounting pressures, feel unsafe at workplace – Deloitte
2 hours -
Bright Simons asks: Where is the KPMG report on SML contract audit?
2 hours -
GEXIM to celebrate Ghanaian workers with “Workers’ Mart Tuesday Market”
3 hours -
Ghanaians need honesty on the part of the government – Alhassan Suhuyini
4 hours -
We cannot compete; we need to collaborate – George Quaye on projecting theatre
4 hours -
GRIDCo to receive 100MW power supply from IPPs in coming days
4 hours