Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Chelsea trademark name in bid to stop unofficial merchandise

Chelsea have trademarked the club's name for use on all clothing items in an attempt to cut down on unofficial merchandise sellers.

Stalls selling replica shirts, scarves and caps that feature the Chelsea name have been a common sight on Fulham Road and the area surrounding Stamford Bridge on matchdays for years.

But street traders have now been warned they have just the first three home matches of the new season to sell off existing stock as Chelsea clamp down on unofficial merchandise bearing the club's name -- including half-and-half or "friendship" scarves.

"Any new merchandise including friendship scarves must comply with the requirements of the new trademarks and must not use the word 'Chelsea' without permission from Chelsea FC the trademark owners," Hammersmith and Fulham council's trading standards department told the Daily Mail.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Chelsea do not necessarily intend to produce their own "friendship" scarves, but sought the Class 25 trademark to strengthen the club's brand protection. Originally filed with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in 2014, it was granted at the end of last season.

Chelsea have a total of 79 trademarks registered with the IPO, many of which cover the use of the club's name in various guises and official logos past as well as present on everything from lingerie to tyres.

They also remain the registered owners of trademarks relating to the use of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's name and signature on a wide range of items, as well as the full name and surname of Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres.

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