New Delhi: Brighton & Hove Albion, one of the Premier League’s most recognizable teams, has found itself in an unexpected and unusual legal dispute with NK Jadran-Galeb, a Croatian third-division club. The controversy centers on a copyright issue, as NK Jadran-Galeb’s crest is nearly identical to Brighton’s iconic logo. This legal matter came to light when Brighton noticed the striking resemblance between their emblem, featuring a seagull in flight, and that of NK Jadran-Galeb. The only discernible difference is the text on the crest.
The matter has drawn attention not only for its legal implications but also for the bizarre circumstances surrounding the Croatian club’s use of the design. Brighton & Hove Albion has been synonymous with the seagull emblem since 1977, when the club adopted the bird as a central part of its identity. The “Seagulls” nickname replaced their earlier moniker, the “Dolphins,” and the bird became a lasting symbol of the team’s heritage and connection to the Brighton coastline.
NK Jadran-Galeb, based in Croatia, currently sits at the top of the country’s third division standings. The club, founded in 2001, is reported to have drawn inspiration from Brighton during its early years. This was allegedly due to Brighton’s promotion to Division Two (now League One) that same year, which caught the attention of the Croatian club’s founders. The design of NK Jadran-Galeb’s badge, however, seems to have gone beyond inspiration and into outright imitation.
🚨 Brighton have sent a letter demanding Croatian lower league club NK Jadran Galeb change their crest. 🇭🇷🏴
Brighton were alerted after a member of the Croatian club went to their offices, told them about the similarity between the two clubs, and asked for ‘some kind of… pic.twitter.com/RvGmQe9U9q
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 13, 2024
According to Croatian outlet ePodravina, Brighton only became aware of the similarity recently. This discovery was reportedly triggered by a representative of NK Jadran-Galeb visiting Brighton, a move that inadvertently brought the copied design to their attention. Brighton responded promptly by sending a multi-page legal letter to the Croatian club, seeking clarification about the crest’s design and issuing a formal warning.
The letter from Brighton outlined their concerns over copyright infringement and requested that NK Jadran-Galeb cease using the logo. The Premier League club warned that failure to comply could result in legal action. However, Brighton also offered an amicable resolution, stating that if the logo was removed, they would not pursue further legal proceedings. Croatian lawyer Josip Madaric, who was involved in the matter, explained that while the letter contained an implicit threat of legal action, it was ultimately framed as a request.
“Legally, there was no reason not to comply,” Madaric noted, adding that NK Jadran-Galeb appeared to have accepted the request to avoid escalating the situation. In response to Brighton’s warning, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) acted swiftly, removing NK Jadran-Galeb’s logo from its official website. While the club has yet to issue a formal statement, it is expected to comply with Brighton’s demand and replace its crest. As of now, however, the disputed logo remains visible on NK Jadran-Galeb’s Facebook page, indicating that a complete resolution is still pending.
Implications of this dispute
The case raises intriguing questions about intellectual property and branding in football, especially when involving clubs from vastly different levels of the sport. Brighton’s position as a Premier League club underscores the importance of protecting its global brand, particularly as the league enjoys massive international viewership and influence. On the other hand, NK Jadran-Galeb operates in relative obscurity compared to Brighton. As a third-tier club in Croatia, it is unlikely they sought to profit from the use of the copied logo.
Nevertheless, copyright law does not differentiate between intent or scale when it comes to infringement. For Brighton, allowing the unauthorized use of their crest would set a precedent that could undermine their ability to defend their intellectual property in the future. This episode also highlights the growing interconnectedness of football worldwide. In 2001, when NK Jadran-Galeb was founded, Brighton was a relatively modest club, far removed from the Premier League spotlight.
Badge redesign // NK Jadran Galeb 🎨
After seeing the recent news about their badge being a blatant rip-off of @OfficialBHAFC‘s, I thought it was only right to give them a new option. 😂#SMSportshttps://t.co/B4rlN7jIaH pic.twitter.com/8NKHdztkD6
— Fin Sutherns (@FinleySDesign) December 15, 2024
Yet, the admiration they inspired from a fledgling Croatian team has now culminated in a legal dispute over a design choice that went unnoticed for over two decades. Brighton & Hove Albion’s dispute with NK Jadran-Galeb is a fascinating example of how branding and intellectual property can create unexpected challenges for football clubs, regardless of their size or prominence.
For Brighton, resolving the issue reinforces their commitment to maintaining their identity as a club. Meanwhile, NK Jadran-Galeb will likely need to craft a new logo, one that reflects their own identity rather than borrowing from a Premier League giant. This curious episode, while nearing its conclusion, will likely serve as a cautionary tale for clubs around the world about the importance of originality and respect for copyright in football branding.
English club Brighton and Hove Albion have been involved in a bizarre copyright issue with Croatian third division side NK Jadran Galeb over the two club’s badges. Dive in to find out more about this unusual situation! Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
