A small business named “Les Olympiades”, specializing in sports club equipment in the Nord region, based in Socx (Nord), has been accused of intellectual property infringement, as reported by France Bleu Nord on Monday, June 10. Paris 2024 is demanding that they change their name as soon as possible.
The Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and the French National Olympic Committee have sent a formal notice to the manager of the company “Les Olympiades”, a small business with 11 employees. “Our name, Les Olympiades, is the intellectual property of the Olympic Games, all these terms are highly protected,” said Guillaume Bourgeois to France Bleu Nord. This manager, who took over the company in 2016 and was already called “Les Olympiades” at the time, was not aware of this rule under French law.
To comply with the demand, the manager of this small business estimates that “changing our signs, our vehicles,” “hiring a communication agency, finding a new name” will cost around 60,000 euros. “We are in an absurd situation, penalizing a small business, possibly even killing it. Because the risk of bankruptcy exists,” warns Guillaume Bourgeois. “Legally, they may be in their right, that’s one thing, but there is no harm done. Obviously, a company based in Socx does not overshadow the Olympic Games,” criticizes the business owner.
Time is running out for Guillaume Bourgeois. Legal representatives from Paris 2024 have asked him to comply within ten days. The northern entrepreneur believes he would need at least two months. Negotiations are underway between his lawyer and those of Paris 2024.
In this case, it is important to understand the implications of intellectual property rights and the potential consequences for small businesses. Intellectual property infringement can lead to costly legal battles and rebranding efforts, as seen in the situation faced by “Les Olympiades”. Small businesses should be aware of the legalities surrounding trademarks and copyrights to avoid such issues in the future. Additionally, negotiating solutions with legal representatives can help mitigate the financial burden on businesses like “Les Olympiades”. It is crucial for entrepreneurs to seek legal advice and take proactive measures to protect their intellectual property rights and ensure compliance with regulations to avoid similar challenges.