Costa Rican Supermarket Wins Trademark Battle Against Nintendo Over Super Mario Name

Nintendo suffers a setback in a Costa Rican trademark dispute. A small supermarket, "Súper Mario," successfully defended its trademark against the gaming giant. The court ruled in favor of the supermarket, acknowledging that the name was a legitimate combination of its business type and the manager's first name.

The legal battle began when the supermarket registered the "Super Mario" trademark in 2013. Nintendo challenged the renewal in 2024, citing infringement on their globally recognized Super Mario brand.

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However, the supermarket's legal team successfully argued the name wasn't intended to capitalize on Nintendo's intellectual property. They convincingly demonstrated the name's straightforward connection to the supermarket's nature and the manager's name, Mario.

The supermarket's owner, Charito, expressed gratitude to his legal advisor, Jose Edgardo Jimenez Blanco, for their successful defense against the formidable opponent. The victory is a testament to their perseverance against a seemingly insurmountable challenge.

While Nintendo holds exclusive rights to the "Super Mario" trademark in many countries across various product categories, this case underscores the intricacies of trademark law, particularly when established brands clash with smaller businesses with justifiable claims to a name. The outcome serves as a reminder that even prominent companies can face legal hurdles in safeguarding their intellectual property.