Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen is known for his impressive skills on the racetrack, but he's also been making waves off the track with his expanding brand. However, his recent attempt to trademark the name "Max 1" for a clothing line has hit a roadblock, thanks to Nike, which is not surprising.
According to a recent report React Dutch newspaper De Limburger, the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP), which handles trademarks in the Netherlands, filed a decision last month regarding Nike's opposition to Verstappen's December 2021 attempt to trademark "Max 1" for a clothing brand. Nike had filed opposition in February 2022, citing the name's similarities to its iconic Air Max 1 sneaker.
In the filing, Nike argued that the names "Max 1" and "Air Max 1" sound phonetically similar and could potentially confuse the public into thinking that Verstappen's clothing line is a variation of a Nike product without the "Air" branding, among other points. Nike also claimed that Verstappen's use of "Max 1" could create an unfair situation where Verstappen is allowed to capitalize on Nike's investments in the promotion and goodwill building of its brand.
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