Anthony Martin |
Alicante (EFE).- The “streamer” Ibai Llanos is for many the most recognizable voice in Spanish in the broadcast of sports video games but his projection has skyrocketed to such an extent that he has decided to register the portrait of his characteristic face to reserve the possibility to operate commercially with that image in the market made up of the 27 countries of the European Union (EU).
Best Streamer in the World at the 2020 Esports Awards, this popular content creator has processed the protection of his well-known face before the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which is based in Alicante, and he has done so with a drawing in dark lines on a light background that is highly recognizable because his hallmarks can be distinguished at first glance: his beard and mustache, as well as his hairstyle with the parting on the left.
In this way, the Community Euroagencia ensures that the image of Ibai Llanos (Bilbao, 1995, although he lives in Barcelona) is not used commercially by third parties in a wide range of articles, ranging from classic stationery, clothing and leather goods to modern video game gadgets and the futuristic metaverse.
In the same way, the possible use has been reserved for products as varied as gymnastics and sports elements, Christmas decorations, entertainment services and the design and development of computer equipment and software, among many other purposes.
Ibai Llanos thus wants to “avoid non-legitimate use”
Sources from the environment of Ibai Llanos consulted by EFE have explained that he wanted to register his face because his face “is an icon that he has used and uses in his ‘streams'”, so that, “as any relevant person does to protect his intellectual property, register your trademark to preserve it and avoid non-legitimate use”.
At the same time that it avoids improper use, it reserves the possibility of “being able to use that image in merchandising products and campaigns, among others,” for its own benefit, the same sources have added.
Like other Spanish “influencers” and “youtubers” known to all audiences, especially the youngest, Ibai Llanos already had the trademark of his first and last name registered with the EUIPO, as well as the term “Ibainéfico”, his project in solidarity with which he has raised funds for some of the most needy groups, for example for Unicef.
But with the registration of the drawing of his face, he goes one step further, perhaps due to the exponential increase in his popularity, especially as a result of the confinement due to the covid-19 health pandemic when he was very active promoting a good number of virtual sports tournaments. .
Since then, he has gone from being a recognizable voice to a popular face with incursions, even, in the cinema (“Cámera café, la película”, 2022), in addition to having participated in November of last year in the launch of the Gerard Pique’s Kings League.
But mainly he is very followed in his broadcasts on different media, including the Twitch platform, where he has even broadcast several New Year’s Eve chimes from Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, the last ones together with Ramón García and Anne Igartiburu.
Other “streamers” also registered their trademark
Among the “streamers” close to Ibai Llanos who have also registered the trademark of their names are other illustrious Spaniards considered “top” in the networks, such as AuronPlay and El Rubius.
The EUIPO is one of the largest decentralized offices in the EU which, with a thousand Euro-officials, is dedicated to the registration of the Community trademark, design and model, as well as housing the European Observatory against piracy.
This Euroagency protects more than 150,000 trademarks annually to operate throughout the EU and the activity is carried out in any of the 23 official languages, including the five working ones, which are German, Spanish, French, English and Italian.
