Court Rejects Atlético-MG Bid Against 'Galo Folia' Trademark

Overview

• The 9th Federal Court in Rio, in a decision by Judge Quézia Silvia Reis, denied Atlético-MG's effort to cancel Galo da Madrugada's 'Galo Folia' registration.
• The court determined there is no likelihood of consumer confusion because football and carnival occur in separate contexts and target different consumption moments.
• The ruling recognized the bloc's prior trademark filings and decades of use of the name and found the Lei Pelé inapplicable to this non-sport dispute.
• The judgment is a first-instance decision that remains subject to appeal.
• Galo da Madrugada said it received the decision calmly and will continue its cultural activities, while Atlético-MG said it sought limits only within the sports segment and will keep protecting its 'Galo' marks.