2 Clubs, 1 Logo – Expansion, Imitation, or Pure Coincidence?
In football, a club’s visual identity, including its logo, is crucial in reflecting its history, values, and pride. But what happens when two clubs from different countries, separated by more than 1,300 kilometers, share the same logo? The case between Brighton & Hove Albion FC from England and NK Jadran-Galeb from Croatia is an intriguing example that highlights the importance of respecting logo originality and avoiding the impression of riding on another club’s popularity. The History of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Logo Brighton & Hove Albion FC was founded in 1901 and has undergone several logo changes since then. In 1977, the club adopted a logo featuring a seagull flying to the left and its nickname, “The Seagulls.” However, in 2011, the logo was updated to show the seagull flying to the right, enclosed in a blue circle with the words “BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION.” This design remains in use today. As a corporation, The Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club Limited registered this logo as a Trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), covering Nice Classes 6, 9, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 25, 28, 35, 36, 38, 41, and 43, officially registered since October 28, 2011. The Evolution of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Logo The Emergence of NK Jadran-Galeb’s Seagull Logo NK Jadran-Galeb is a football club based in Croatia. In 2001, two local clubs, NK Jadran (founded in 1947) and NK Galeb (founded in 1963), merged to form NK Jadran-Galeb. As a small club playing in the lowest tier of Croatian football, there is little information on when exactly the club started using a logo strikingly similar to Brighton & Hove Albion’s—featuring a seagull and nearly identical color schemes. The only visible difference was the club name on the logo. Coincidence or Deliberate Inspiration? The resemblance between the two logos raises the question: Did Brighton & Hove Albion’s logo directly inspire NK Jadran-Galeb, or was it purely coincidental? Given the level of similarity, many believe NK Jadran-Galeb intentionally took inspiration from Brighton’s design. Adding to the speculation, Jadran-Galeb is not a coastal city where seagulls are a prominent symbol. The similarity came to public attention in late 2024, when NK Jadran-Galeb representatives visited Brighton & Hove Albion’s office in England and pointed out the resemblance between their logos. Strangely enough, instead of raising concerns, the Jadran-Galeb representatives requested donations of sports equipment, claiming they shared the same logo. However, rather than receiving donations, they were handed a cease-and-desist letter. NK Jadran-Galeb Squad 2024 Actions Taken by Both Parties Upon realizing the striking similarity, Brighton & Hove Albion sent an official letter to NK Jadran-Galeb, requesting them to change their club logo and stop using it across all forms of public media, including their official website and promotional materials. Although there were no legal threats in the letter, Brighton’s firm request demonstrated their commitment to protecting their Trademark. In response, NK Jadran-Galeb agreed to change their logo. The Croatian Football Federation also removed NK Jadran-Galeb’s old logo from its official website as a sign of respect for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Trademark rights. As of January 30, 2025, NK Jadran-Galeb unveiled a new logo, still featuring a seagull, but now facing forward. NK Jadran-Galeb’s New Logo The case between Brighton & Hove Albion and NK Jadran-Galeb underscores the importance of respecting originality in logo design. A logo as a Trademark (not copyright) is more than just a visual symbol; it represents a club’s identity and values. Using a similar or copied design without permission can create the impression of exploiting another club’s popularity and may lead to legal disputes. Therefore, every club must ensure that its visual identity is unique and does not infringe upon another’s Trademark rights. You might also want to read: Various Intellectual Properties in Football Should you need more information on Trademark protection in Indonesia and abroad, you can contact us via email at [email protected].
