Football Manager have confirmed the change after a trademark dispute
Manchester United will be known by a new name on Football Manager after it was confirmed the Premier League club have reached an agreement with Sega over a trademark dispute.
It was reported last year that United had opened legal action against Sega and Sports Interactive, the game’s makers, claiming they had infringed their trademark by not using the official club badge in the game, which was replaced by “a simplified red and white striped logo”.
This, United argued, “deprives the registered proprietor of its right to have the club crest licensed”.
‘Manchester United’ have been a constant in previous iterations of Football Manager and its predecessor, Championship Manager, since its first edition in 1992. Sega and Sports Interactive pointed this out in their response to the legal claim, saying that the club’s name had been used for nearly 30 years “without complaint by the claimant”.
They also insisted that use of the club’s name was “a legitimate reference to the Manchester United football team in a football context”.
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Now, however, Sports Interactive and Sega have announced the matter has been settled amicably between the two parties.
A tweet from Football Manager’s official Twitter account said: “Manchester United and Sega have agreed a settlement to amicably resolve their trade mark dispute relating to Football Manager.
“Both parties are pleased to resolve this matter to their mutual satisfaction.”
Answering one of the replies to their initial tweet, Football Manager’s account also confirmed the name change, which will be made in time for the release of Football Manager 22.
“From FM22 onwards, the Manchester United football club will be named ‘Manchester UFC’ or ‘Man UFC’,” the tweet explained.
“These name changes have been made purely to settle the dispute on a no admissions basis.”
From FM22 onwards, the Manchester United football club will be named ‘Manchester UFC’ or ‘Man UFC’. These name changes have been made purely to settle the dispute on a no admissions basis.
— Football Manager (@FootballManager) August 6, 2021
