For years, selling clothes under the name “Prada” in Costa Rica might have seemed bold. But for Juan Carlos Prada, owner of a small business in San Ramón de Alajuela, using his surname as a brand was always about family and identity — not glamour.
What started as a local venture powered more by effort than luxury ended up facing one of the most unexpected legal battles in intellectual property: a dispute against the iconic Italian fashion house Prada.
David vs. Goliath: the story behind the conflict
It all started back in 2011, when Juan Carlos Prada registered the trademark “PRADA” with Costa Rica’s National Registry, specifically for the sale of clothing. He did so legally, under the appropriate category — never imagining that ten years later, he would face a formal opposition from the European brand.
The multinational claimed that the Costa Rican trademark caused confusion and harmed the reputation of its internationally registered brand.
It looked like a lost cause.
But then, something unexpected happened: Costa Rican courts ruled in favor of the local entrepreneur.
Why did the Costa Rican brand win?
Because he did something crucial: he registered his trademark on time.
The registration granted him priority rights to use and protect the brand in Costa Rica, regardless of the global recognition of the Italian company.
In simple terms: in Costa Rica, the law protects the one who registers first — not necessarily the most famous.
This principle was upheld by the Administrative Court, which dismissed the European company’s claim. The ruling not only validated the Costa Rican entrepreneur’s use of the name “Prada,” but also set an important precedent for future disputes between local and international brands.
A landmark case (or almost)
This is only the second major case in which a Costa Rican brand successfully defended its intellectual property rights against a multinational.
The first was the now-famous case of Supermercado “Super Mario”, which won a similar legal battle against Nintendo over the use of a commercial name.
Both cases share one key element: the legal protection that comes with proper trademark registration in Costa Rica.
Why should you register your trademark?
Because it gives you legal ownership of your name, logo, or business identity — in the country where you operate. And as these cases show, having a registered trademark could be the difference between defending your business… or losing it.
At ERP Lawyers, we help entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses protect what they’ve built. Whether it’s a neighborhood store or a tech startup, your brand is a legal asset.
📩 Want to register your trademark in Costa Rica or check if it’s properly protected?
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