Nintendo Loses Trademark Battle to Costa Rican Supermarket Over Super Mario Name

Nintendo Suffers Setback in Costa Rican Trademark Dispute

In a surprising legal twist, Nintendo has lost a trademark battle against a small Costa Rican supermarket, "Súper Mario," over the use of the name. The supermarket successfully defended its trademark, arguing the name was a legitimate combination of its business type and its manager's first name, Mario.

The legal challenge arose when the supermarket's trademark, initially registered in 2013 by the owner's son, Charito, came up for renewal in 2024. Nintendo contested the renewal, citing infringement on their globally recognized Super Mario brand.

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However, the supermarket's legal team, guided by advisor Jose Edgardo Jimenez Blanco, successfully argued the name wasn't intended to capitalize on Nintendo's intellectual property. They convincingly demonstrated the name's straightforward connection to the supermarket's nature and the manager's name.

Charito expressed immense relief and gratitude to his legal advisor, stating they had considered surrendering due to the disparity in size between the two entities. The victory ensures the continued operation of "Súper Mario."

While Nintendo holds exclusive rights to the Super Mario trademark in numerous product categories across many countries, this case underscores the complexities of trademark disputes, particularly when global corporations face smaller businesses with justifiable claims to a similar name. The outcome serves as a reminder that even powerful brands can face legal challenges in protecting their intellectual property.