Chelsea and England midfielder Cole Palmer has found himself in an unexpected legal dispute after a French winery challenged his bid to trademark his 'Cold Palmer' nickname and shivering goal celebration. The 22-year-old applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office to secure exclusive rights to the moniker and celebration for use on merchandise, but Château Palmer, a prestigious Bordeaux vineyard, has lodged an objection.
Château Palmer, founded in 1814 by British army officer Charles Palmer, argues that it has been producing wine under the Palmer name for over two centuries, predating Palmer's football career by more than 150 years. The vineyard has specifically opposed his application to trademark the name for alcoholic beverages, citing potential confusion with its own brand. A bottle of Château Palmer can cost up to £2,166.
The Intellectual Property Office will now adjudicate the dispute after receiving legal representations from both sides. Palmer's celebration, which involves him shivering, was reportedly borrowed from teammate Morgan Rogers, while the 'Cold Palmer' nickname is not widely used by fans.
Observers have noted the irony that Château Palmer produces a wine called Alter Ego, described as 'elegant and velvety with a wonderful capacity to age and evolve', which some say mirrors the player's style. Rather than a legal battle, a collaboration between the two parties has been suggested as a more lucrative outcome.
This case follows a trend of footballers seeking to monetise their personal brands, with previous examples including Cristiano Ronaldo's 'CR7' trademark and Kylian Mbappé's goal celebration rights. The outcome of Palmer's application remains pending.
