Overview
- Beppe Grillo, founder of the Five Star Movement, filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Rome to claim legal ownership of the party’s name and logo, with a first hearing expected in July.
- Giuseppe Conte’s leadership called the claim baseless and said the name and symbol belong to the community of members, adding it will defend in court and weigh a damages request.
- Grillo argues the Genoa-based association linked to him holds title to the mark and that the Rome association now led by Conte only had permission to use it.
- Grillo no longer holds the party’s guarantor role after a late‑2024 overhaul, and allies had flagged plans for legal action as early as last summer.
- Party names and symbols in Italy carry legal weight for ballot listing and voter recognition, and press analysis warns a swift ruling could unsettle Conte’s plans for a broader left alliance ahead of 2027.