American sports apparel company Nike sued FIFA on Wednesday, saying it is entitled to use "USA 2003" to promote the US women's soccer team despite claims it violates trademark rights.
The Beaverton, Oregon-based company said it wanted to take pre-emptive action because FIFA threatened its own lawsuit.
FIFA, based in Zurich, organizes and promotes international soccer matches and tournaments, including the World Cup and Women's World Cup, which began last Saturday in the US.
FIFA said in a Sept. 11 letter to Nike that it has successfully defended rights to World Cup trademarks such as "France 98," "Korea/Japan 2002" and "Germany 2006." FIFA said it considered "USA 2003" no different.
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