PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man has sued Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo over the phrase “CR7.”
Christopher Renzi filed the lawsuit Monday in federal court in Providence against the Real (ray-AHL’) Madrid forward and a Danish company, JBS Textile Group. The company sells underwear with the phrase “CR7,” a combination of Ronaldo’s initials and jersey number.
Renzi says he uses the trademark — granted in 2009 — on clothing and that he’s also used it for a seven-minute exercise program. He says in his lawsuit that “CR7” is a combination of his own initials and the day he was born, Oct. 7.
JBS Textile sells CR7 underwear, socks and other items in Europe and hopes to start selling in the U.S. soon. Its lawyer would not comment.
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