In a formal online statement published on its official website, Rangers Football Club emphasised that it will receive the rights to its trademarks and badges once again, as soon as the club has repaid the £5m it borrowed from retailer Sports Direct.
Following a deal made between the football club’s former board and Sports Direct, any images depicting the club’s trademark, including logos and badges, belong to the sportswear retailer.
The deal also included Rangers’ assets, though the club’s stadium (Ibrox) was not part of the agreement.
In the statement, which was posted this week, Rangers Football Club said that the situation regarding its trademarks – which was highlighted on the Government’s Intellectual Property website last week – is not a contested issue.
The club also made it clear that it is already in the process of taking back the rights to its trademarks and badges.
The statement said: “It has been widely reported that the trademarks, the iconic symbols of our Club, are now in the possession of Sports Direct.
“Although the trademarks are registered in Sports Direct’s name, the position is not as alarming as it may first appear.
“[…] Rangers remain the rightful and legal owners of their trademarks and Interim Chairman Paul Murray has clarified this position with Sports Direct.”
Sports Direct has reportedly agreed that all intellectual property rights relating to the club will be returned to Rangers after the £5m loan is repaid.