Manila, May 6 -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the ruling of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) turning down a petition filed by a local sports and leisure retail store over the use of the "Olympic Village" trademark.

In its 28-page decision dated April 30, 2024, the appellate court's Fourth Division denied the petition filed by Olympic Village Enterprises, Inc. (OVEI) president Juanito Gervasio against the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC, a Switzerland-based organization that finances Olympic events through the contributions of its sponsors and licensees, opposed the registration by the Olympic Village, citing the 1981 Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol.

The sports goods firm had filed f...