‘Man of the match’ sale revives the debate on trademark auctions

Last week, Sky News reported that a portfolio of trademarks and other IP rights relating to the term ‘man of the match’ had been sold at auction for an undisclosed fee to an anonymous bidder. While the sale of the rights to a slogan familiar to sports fans around the world has attracted a modicum of mainstream press interest, it also resurrects a key question for trademark owners and practitioners: will trademark auctions be the next big thing – or are they just a flash in the pan?