The Spanish Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling in favor of NOX, the padel equipment brand, in its long-standing legal battle with Munich, a well-known sports footwear company. The dispute centered on the use of the letter “X” in branding, with Munich alleging that NOX’s use of the symbol infringed on its trademark rights.
The conflict began in 2017 when Munich filed a lawsuit against JJ Ballvé Sports, the parent company of NOX, claiming that the use of the “X” on NOX’s padel rackets and accessories was too similar to its own branding. While an initial court ruling acknowledged a potential for confusion in certain cases, the decision was later overturned by the Provincial Court of Barcelona, which found no infringement.
The Supreme Court has now upheld that decision, rejecting Munich’s appeal and affirming that the “X” used by NOX does not violate Munich’s trademark. The court emphasized that while a well-known trademark can enjoy broader protection, it cannot monopolize a common symbol across unrelated product categories without clear evidence of confusion or unfair competition.
“Munich attempted to compete in the padel racket and accessories market through an attempt that was as aggressive as it was unjustified: accusing one of the leaders in that market, the company JJ Ballvé Sports, owner of the NOX trademarks, of infringing the national trademarks «Munich», trying to obtain an exclusive right over the X that characterizes NOX products, and of competing unfairly”, commented NOX.
This ruling allows NOX to continue using its distinctive branding in the padel market without restriction, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the sport’s growing industry. The decision also sets a precedent for how courts may interpret the scope of trademark protection in cases involving widely used symbols.
