FIFA and its legal affairs -- beware, this is not England's bid

The Brazilian Instituto da Propriedad Intelectual (INPI) was the ‘pitch’ for the INPI’s President Jorge Avila and FIFA’s legal affairs representative, Alexia Willetts. Presented at the meeting were also: Terezinha de Jesus Guimaraes -- director of trade marks; Deyse Macedo Gomes -- general coordinator of Marks; and José Graça Aranha -- WIPO’s director of the regional office.

The meeting demonstrates the concern of the Institute to report on procedures and legal aspects that must be considered in examining applications for trade marks.

Brazilian will hold the 2014 World Cup, and according to Alexia Willetts there will be about 10 to 20 key brands, whose applications in various classes should reach approximately 500 submissions.

FIFA's concern is also with the amount of opposition that will be needed to ensure protection of their brands spread across classes, since there are actually companies that seek to take advantage of trade marks relating to the World Cup. According to national legislation, FIFA needs to bring opposition proceedings if it considers that there is conflict with its trade marks.