Barcelona SC lodge petition against Barca brand

Ecuador's Barcelona Sporting Club have launched an official objection to FC Barcelona's petition to trademark the name of 'Barcelona' in the South American country.

Guayaquil-based Barcelona Sporting Club confirmed via an official club statement on Wednesday that the 14-time Ecuadorian champions are taking the necessary steps to protect their own brand.

"Regarding the brand "BARCELONA" in Ecuador, the only and legitimate owner in Ecuadorian territory is the Barcelona Sporting Club, and that is specified in the register of Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property (IEPI)," it read.

"It's a public fact that in Ecuador the name "BARCELONA" identifies Barcelona Sporting Club. Futbol Club Barcelona has requested the register of the brand "BARCELONA" in Ecuador.

"Our response in the face of this is that we have presented our supported opposition to the IEPI through specialist lawyers in Intellectual Property.

"It's important to say that there aren't any complaints between the two institutions and that the chance of an arrangement of legal coexistence of the brand in the country is being analysed.

"Meanwhile, we'll continue defending institution's interests and obviously their intellectual property assets."

Barcelona Sporting Club were founded in 1925 by a group of friends - including members of the Spanish community - in Guayaquil and named in tribute to Spain's FC Barcelona, adopting a club crest identical to that of the Catalan giants.