Costa Rican Supermarket 'Super Mario' Wins Trademark Battle Against Nintendo

Nintendo is known for fiercely defending its trademarks, but a small supermarket in Costa Rica has defied the odds. Don Mario, owner of "Super Mario" in San Ramón, successfully retained his store’s name despite opposition from the gaming giant.

Nintendo only challenged the trademark when Don Mario attempted to renew it with Costa Rica’s National Register. However, the company never registered "Super Mario" for supermarkets, allowing Don Mario and his son, Charlito, to win their case.

Image credit: Simbonita | Reddit

Charlito shared the victory on Facebook, expressing gratitude to their legal advisor. "For a moment, we thought about throwing in the towel. How were we going to win against such a commercial monster? But we stood firm, and Super Mario is here to stay."

Nintendo, meanwhile, continues its legal battles elsewhere, recently targeting an alleged Switch pirate in court and reportedly sending lawyers to visit Genki after it showcased a Switch 2 mockup during CES. Additionally, Nintendo's patent attorney Koji Nishiura has been vocal about the company's stance on the legality of certain emulators.

This case marks a rare instance where Nintendo's aggressive trademark enforcement was unsuccessful, highlighting how even global corporations can face unexpected legal setbacks.