All UK trade mark applications filed on behalf of Cole Palmer granted

Mills & Reeve represented Chelsea and England footballer Cole Palmer. The UK Intellectual Property Office has granted all UK trade mark applications that Mills & Reeve filed on behalf of Cole Palmer in respect of his personal brand assets. The filings encompass a portrait mark (a photographic portrait of Palmer’s face), a celebration mark registered as a motion mark (a video of his goal celebration), his name, his signature and the ‘Cold Palmer’ nickname. The corresponding applications before the European Union Intellectual Property Office have also been granted, with the exception of the portrait application, which remains pending. These registrations respond to the commercial significance of personal brand assets and to the limits of default protection under English law against unauthorised third‑party exploitation. Mills & Reeve say the proactive registration of such assets helps safeguard commercial value. The applications drew public commentary from intellectual property specialists and football fans alike, and the firm reports growing demand from high‑profile clients seeking innovative brand development and protection. Alex Newman, partner at Mills & Reeve who led the successful applications, said: “There has been significant speculation and commentary about these applications, and particularly Cole’s goal celebration. It was never about stopping other sportspeople, or kids in the playground, from doing the same or similar celebrations. It is about putting Cole in a better position to control how his name, nickname, likeness and goal celebration – which are all highly marketable aspects of his personal brand - are commercially exploited by others.” Cole Palmer added: “Mills & Reeve have supported me, on and off the field, and are great to work with. They think outside the box and have recommended ways to protect my image and brand that are forward thinking.” The registrations — and in particular the novel motion registration for Palmer’s goal celebration — are said to offer valuable insight into the scope of trade mark protection potentially available to sportspersons and other prominent individuals. Mills & Reeve represented client(s) Cole Palmer with a team composed by: Alex Newman, partner, Intellectual Property.

All UK trade mark applications filed on behalf of Cole Palmer granted

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