"Italy has pursued its claim against the chain known in Spanish as La Mafia se sienta a la mesa through various courts and official bodies over the past few years, alleging that the name trivialises both organised crime and efforts to fight it. In 2018, the EU Intellectual Property Office ruled that the name was invalid as it conveyed a globally positive image of the mafia."
"The chain, which can appeal the decision, had argued that it had taken its name from a recipe book rather than the criminal organisation, and that the word mafia was no longer exclusively associated with illegal activity. The ruling noted that the company had said that the term mafia is indeed used in other industries such as audiovisual or literary."
"Italy had explained that the word applied to a global criminal organisation that also operated in Spain: the most common crimes of said organisation are, among other things, the smuggling of drugs and weapons, organised crime, piracy, money laundering, corruption of public officials and murders. The controversial name runs counter to both public order and morality."
The Spanish restaurant chain 'La Mafia se sienta a la mesa' faces mandatory rebranding after Spain's Patent and Trademark Office ruled its name invalid, following Italy's sustained legal challenge. Italy argued the name trivializes organized crime and disrespects victims and anti-mafia efforts. The EU Intellectual Property Office previously invalidated the trademark in 2018, determining it conveyed a positive image of the mafia and would offend people with average sensitivity. The restaurant chain claimed its name derived from a recipe book and that 'mafia' has broader cultural meanings beyond criminal associations. However, the Spanish office agreed with Italy that the term primarily refers to a global criminal organization responsible for drug smuggling, weapons trafficking, money laundering, corruption, and murders. The chain can appeal the decision.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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