Nintendo Loses Trademark Battle to Costa Rican Supermarket Over Super Mario Name

Nintendo Faces Unexpected Setback in Trademark Dispute

In a surprising legal turn, Nintendo has lost a trademark battle against a small Costa Rican supermarket, "Súper Mario," over the use of the "Super Mario" name. The supermarket successfully defended its trademark, arguing the name was a legitimate combination of its business type and its manager's name, Mario.

The legal conflict began in 2013 when the supermarket owner's son registered the trademark. 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, led by Jose Edgardo Jimenez Blanco, successfully argued the name wasn't intended to capitalize on Nintendo's intellectual property. The court accepted their evidence that the name directly reflected the supermarket's nature and the manager's first name.

The supermarket owner's son, Charito, expressed relief and gratitude to his legal team, stating they nearly conceded defeat before securing a victory. He emphasized their determination to fight against the seemingly insurmountable challenge posed by Nintendo.

While Nintendo holds exclusive rights to the Super Mario trademark in numerous product categories across many countries, this case underscores the complexities of trademark law, particularly when large corporations confront smaller businesses with justifiable claims to a similar name. The outcome serves as a reminder that even powerful brands face potential legal hurdles in protecting their intellectual property.