Name of famous cyclist registered as trademark

Colombian cyclist Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas has obtained a registration for the mark NAIRO QUINTANA.

The cyclist filed a multiclass trademark application for the mark NAIRO QUINTANA for the commercial services of providing entertainment and sporting activities in Classes 35 and 41 of the Nice Classification.  

The Colombian Trademark Office granted the trademark registration, which is valid initially until February 27 2024.

Nairo Quintana, the winner of this year's Giro d’Italia and runner-up of the 2013 Tour de France, will be the only person entitled to use his name as a trademark for services in Classes 35 and 41.  

Dr José Luis Londoño, the superintendent delegate for industrial property, stated:

“The fact that a public character has his name registered as a trademark helps consolidate protection against possible infringement and unlawful uses of a distinctive sign, which has been created based on a particular image. This means that nobody in the market will be able to use the trademark NAIRO QUINTANA without previous authorisation from this Colombian cyclist. In addition to his name being protected as an attribute of his personality and the fact that he is a renowned character, the trademark title will facilitate protection against unlawful commercial uses.”

In this case, trademark registration was seen as an additional way of protecting a name attached to a public image.

Margarita Castellanos, Castellanos & Co, Bogota