Paz Padilla‘s Trademark Controversy: Accusations of Fishbone Logo Plagiarism intensify

Spanish television presenter Paz Padilla is facing increased media scrutiny over allegations of plagiarism related to the fishbone design used by her clothing brand, Noniná.The controversy, dubbed the “raspa” scandal, centers around claims that Padilla’s brand logo infringes on the cultural heritage of Cádiz and perhaps copies designs from other brands [3].

New Evidence Emerges in Paz Padilla Fishbone Design Controversy

Kike Quintana,a collaborator on the Telecinco program “TardeAR,” has presented new facts highlighting alleged contradictions in Padilla’s statements regarding the fishbone design. The evidence includes emails from 2019 showing that Padilla’s team contacted “Little MoMa,” a now-defunct brand, to inquire about purchasing their products. “I am a store in charge Live. I wanted to congratulate you as I loved your collection and my boss too, and I wanted to ask you if you sell to stores,” the message stated.

Did You No? The fishbone symbol, or “raspa,” is deeply ingrained in the cultural identity of Cádiz, Spain, representing its maritime heritage and fishing traditions.

Timeline of the Trademark Dispute

Legal Responses and Escalation of the “Raspa” Controversy

According to Quintana, after Paz Padilla registered her brand in January 2020, clients of “little MoMa” began noticing the similarities and contacted the store with concerns. Later, lawyers representing “Little MoMa” sent a formal request to Padilla to relinquish the trademark, citing potential confusion between the brands.

The response from Paz Padilla’s legal team stated that the brands only coincided in idea,which is not registrable. They further argued that different representations of a fishbone design could coexist peacefully in the market. However, this stance has drawn criticism, particularly in light of reports that Padilla has demanded other brands, including Zahara, remove logos deemed too similar to her own [1].

Pro Tip: Before launching a brand, conduct a thorough trademark search to avoid potential legal disputes and ensure your logo is sufficiently distinct.

Backlash from Barbate Merchants and Cultural Significance

The controversy has extended beyond legal disputes, with Paz Padilla facing backlash from merchants in Barbate, Cádiz, who have been asked to remove clothing items featuring fishbone designs. These merchants view the fishbone as a cultural emblem and argue that Padilla’s trademark infringes on their heritage [2].

The situation highlights the complexities of trademark law when cultural symbols are involved, raising questions about who has the right to commercialize such imagery.

What are your thoughts on trademarking cultural symbols? Should there be stricter guidelines to protect cultural heritage?

Share your opinion in