Costa Rican Supermarket Wins Trademark Battle Against Nintendo

Costa Rican Supermarket Triumphs Over Nintendo in Trademark Dispute

In a surprising turn of events, a Costa Rican supermarket, Super Mario, has won a trademark battle against the video game giant, Nintendo. This victory is particularly noteworthy given Nintendo’s typically aggressive pursuit of trademark infringement.

David vs. Goliath: A Small Supermarket’s Big Win

Owned by Don Mario and managed by his son, Charlito, the Super Mario supermarket in San Ramón, Costa Rica, successfully defended its trademark against Nintendo’s challenge. The legal battle arose when the supermarket sought to renew its trademark with the National Register of Costa Rica. Nintendo’s opposition was ultimately unsuccessful.

Charlito Mario expressed his relief and gratitude on Facebook, highlighting the crucial role of his legal advisor in securing the victory. He acknowledged the daunting task of facing such a powerful company but emphasized their determination to prevail.

A key factor in Super Mario’s success seems to be Nintendo’s failure to register the trademark for supermarkets. This oversight allowed the Costa Rican establishment to maintain its name.

Nintendo’s Legal Prowess

The outcome contrasts sharply with Nintendo’s generally successful track record in legal battles. Recent examples include actions against an alleged Switch pirate and a company that displayed a Switch 2 mockup. Additionally, Nintendo’s legal team has actively pursued cases involving emulators.

Super Mario’s victory serves as a reminder that even industry giants can face setbacks in legal disputes, particularly when faced with well-prepared opposition and perhaps, an oversight in their own trademark strategy.