Adidas, one of the most popular sports brands in the world, lost a lawsuit in Peru brought by Colombian businessman Ricardo León Marquéz Gómez. The National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) required him to withdraw one of his product lines, ‘Nemeziz’, and pay a remuneration of more than 150 UIT, that is, 742,500 soles.
Learn more about this case and the businessman who sued the famous sports company whose figures include Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah and Karim Benzema, and is one of the most popular in our country.
Why did Ricardo León sue Adidas?
According to the file No. 885893-2021/DSD published by the LP portal, in February 2021, Ricardo León Marquéz Gómez, a businessman born in Colombia, denounced Adidas Perú SAC (Peru) for infringement of Industrial Property rights. The complainant is the owner of the trademark ‘Nemesis‘, which is found in both Peru and Colombia.
According to the document, Ricardo León was not aware that Adidas had been “marketing sneakers and sports clothing with its registered trademark” and much less did he have its “due authorization.” Likewise, as he signed a licensing contract in Colombia and Mexico, Adidas did know that Némesis was a brand of the businessman since 2006.
That is why Marquéz Gómez requested the payment of a fine, the cessation of the violating acts (the removal of his sneakers with the same name), among other demands.
Adidas claims that in May 2017, during the Copa del Rey Final, they introduced sports shoes called “NEMEZIZ” globally, with the collaboration of renowned footballer Lionel Messi. Photo: Adidas.
Ricardo León wins the lawsuit against Adidas
Despite lacking a license to sell its sports brand, Adidas persisted in offering these products in its stores and website. Furthermore, that same year he tried to absolve the complaint under the justification that ‘Nemeziz’, the brand that would have copied the Colombian, “revolutionized the sports footwear industry” and featured figures such as Lionel Messi.
The sports brand’s resources were not enough. In November 2023, Adidas Perú SAC was sanctioned with a fine of 150 UIT, equivalent to S/742,000. He also ordered that his Nemeziz line be withdrawn from the Peruvian market. Finally, it ordered that the brand assume payment of the costs incurred by Ricardo León Marquéz for the complaint.
According to Resolution 0218-2024/TPI-Indecopi, Adidas is currently restricted from continuing with the distribution of products from the Nemezis line. In addition, Resolution 2558-2023/CSD-INDECOPI, issued on November 6 of last year, confirms that Adidas received a fine of more than S/742,000, as well as the obligation to cover the costs of the process in favor of Ricardo León. This means that the rest of its products can continue to be marketed and distributed in Peru in its establishments.
What is the largest Adidas store in Peru?
The largest Adidas store in our country is located in the Falabella of Jockey Plaza. It is the largest, most modern and interactive Adidas store in South America, indicated Alex Zimmermann Franco, CEO of Falabella in Peru.
Source: Larepublica
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