Mike Ashley starts legal battle over Rangers name, trademarks, crests and badges

[ian1964 10,416]

MIKE Ashley is taking legal action to regain control of Rangers lucrative name, trademarks, crests and badges.

 

The move is the latest twist in the Sports Direct founder’s long-running courtroom battle with the Rangers board and its chairman Dave King.

 

His legal bid for ownership of the intellectual property rights forms part of an action lodged at the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice where Mr Ashley aims to sue the club for up to £1 million.

 

It comes after the club withdrew the exclusive rights from possession of the Sports Direct-controlled Rangers Retail in May. Until then, Mr Ashley’s Rangers Retail held the licence to exploit club-related trademarks and logos including the club name, Ibrox and The Gers.

 

Rangers Retail was unveiled in 2012 as a merchandising joint venture between Rangers FC and Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct by then chief executive Charles Green. Its aim was to enable Rangers “to once again control its retail operation and give supporters the chance to buy direct from the club and in doing so, continue to invest in its future”.

 

But the Ibrox board, which had voiced its displeasure about its share of the profits, withdrew the exclusive licence. In the claim, initially outlined in the club’s annual report, Sports Direct insist they had insufficient notice to cancel the agreement.

 

And it has been confirmed that Mr Ashley and Sports Direct will argue in the High Court the intellectual property rights licence should remain in full with initial proceedings scheduled for December 1 and 2.

 

A source with a Rangers fans’ group, who did not wish to be identified, said: “I hope the board fight this all the way. It is long past time that supporters were able to spend their money on Rangers merchandise and know that the club will get the money.” When the Rangers board withdrew the licensing rights it was believed that meant kit which contained the protected logos could not be sold.

 

But in August, sportswear manufacturers Puma joined the likes of Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct, JD Sports and Intersport and all began selling the Rangers strip for the new season.

 

And Puma, after taking legal advice, insisted they had a legal right to sell and market the kit under the terms of their five-year kit deal agreed in 2013. Rangers has previously threatened to ditch the controversial Puma strip released without their consent and replace it with a new kit midway through the season.

 

It wrote to Rangers Retail Limited and Sports Direct asking call a halt to merchandise sales.

 

The club did not respond to a request for comment.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14839999.Mike_Ashley_starts_legal_battle_over_Rangers_name__trademarks__crests_and_badges/

[alexscottislegend 2,064]

We should strain every sinew to get this bastard away from our club. He represents not just everything wrong with the running of our club till last year but everything wrong with capitalism.

[ian1964 10,416]

What happened to the rule about owning shares/involvement in two clubs?,I thought it wasn't allowed?

[Frankie 8,150]

What happened to the rule about owning shares/involvement in two clubs?,I thought it wasn't allowed?

 

I think you're allowed a year's grace and with Newcastle looking certain to be promoted then Ashley will be feeling bold again.

[ian1964 10,416]

I think the fans should have a more sustained anti SD campaign,evry match for a start!,banners/chants........................................

[JFK-1 1,674]

I think you're allowed a year's grace and with Newcastle looking certain to be promoted then Ashley will be feeling bold again.

 

He still wouldn't show face around St James park but recently the fans have been starting to if not actually like him at least not be so focused on hating him because he has brought in what they view as a world class manager and they have the feel good factor back albeit in the Championship where they will probably run away with that league as it progresses.

[StuGers 477]

We need to further freeze him out. How much longer is left on the deal? I still can't believe it is legal and in place when it was obviously signed off heavily in favour of one party.

[pete 2,499]

I think the fans should have a more sustained anti SD campaign,evry match for a start!,banners/chants........................................

 

I think he would love banners and chants. As they say even negative publicity is still publicity.

[ian1964 10,416]

I think he would love banners and chants. As they say even negative publicity is still publicity.

 

Better than sitting on our arses doing nothing!,a lot of fans never thought not buying ST would not get rid of the ****s!,I was forced to give up my ST in an attempt to rid the club of the ****s and it worked.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Direct action needed in his stores