(Motorsport) Sportswear giants Nike have halted reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen’s brand ‘Max 1’ with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) handling the case and concluded that there could be confusion between ‘Max 1’ and Nike’s ‘Air Max’. As a result, Verstappen will have to change the name of his brand before releasing any new items as his brand is considered “partially identical and partially similar“. 

According to the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP), it’s not just the name but both the brands are visually identical. A statement released by BOIP read “Both signs contain the word MAX, albeit in a different place. In the trademarks invoked, the elements AIR and MAX have equal weight in the overall impression. In the contested sign, the emphasis is on the word MAX. The number 1 will be regarded as a specification of MAX. To that extent the signs agree. The goods in question (Nike and Max) are partly identical and partly similar. Visually and aurally, there is a certain degree of similarity between the signs.” 

The report added that it could cause public confusion and could make consumers think that the two brands were economically linked. However, Max Verstappen has been having a stellar season on the track and is currently leading the Drivers Standings, being 2 points ahead of teammate Sergio Perez. The Dutchman came first in the Bahrain Grand Prix and second in Saudi Arabia. He will now hope to secure a victory at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix as he looks to secure a third World Championship.

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