Chelsea's Cole Palmer loses trademark battle with French Chateau Palmer

Chelsea and England football star Cole Palmer has lost a legal battle to trademark his "Cold Palmer" nickname and goal celebration after a prestigious French winery, Chateau Palmer, opposed the registration. The Bordeaux-based vineyard, founded in 1814 and known for selling premium wines at high prices, argued that Palmer's trademark would damage their brand's image due to potential confusion, especially if Palmer launched wine or related products. The court ruled in favor of Chateau Palmer, preventing Palmer from securing the trademark and forcing his legal team to amend related Intellectual Property Office documents. The "Cold Palmer" celebration originated in late 2023, inspired by a fellow footballer, but Palmer's plans to commercialize it under that name have been thwarted. Chateau Palmer's legacy and longstanding history as a renowned wine estate were key to their successful defense against the footballer's trademark bid. The ruling highlights the challenges athletes face when trying to capitalize on personal branding in areas overlapping with established commercial trademarks.