The aim of these articles is to keep our Clients and Associates updated about developments in the sector of Intellectual Property in general and our firm in particular. In this way, we wish to provide a broader view of the tools that the field of trade marks, domain names, patents, designs and related rights offers to entrepreneurs to enhance and protect their efforts in researching and developing new solutions and ideas.
Trademarks and Risk of Conflict: the Vatican’s “Michelangelus” Case
Exactly one year ago, in our May 2025 newsletter, we discussed how the Vatican makes use of intellectual property tools, such as trademarks and domain names, in order to protect its symbols and preserve the sacredness of religious signs.
Several Vatican trademarks, particularly before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), have been filed by La Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano, an entity specifically established to oversee and manage the architectural and artistic works relating to St. Peter’s Basilica.
In December 2025, the Fabbrica di San Pietro filed European Union Trademark Application No. 019290012 for the figurative mark “Michelangelus”, covering a broad range of goods and services in Classes 04 (including candles), 14 (including rosaries and jewellery), 16 (including diaries and calendars), 18 (including umbrellas and luggage), 20 (including fans), 21 (including vases and sculptures), 24 (including doilies and fabrics), 25 (including clothing and footwear), 28 (including decorations), 35 (including advertising and marketing services), 38 (including telecommunications services), 39 (including vehicle rental and transport services), 41 (including educational and religious instruction services), and 43 (including catering and temporary accommodation services).
The trademark is intended to identify a project launched in connection with the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica and was deliberately inspired by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Indeed, the graphic style used in the logo recalls the artist’s handwriting, reflecting Michelangelo’s role as chief architect of the Basilica works between 1546 and 1562.
Unfortunately, however, not even the Vatican is immune from the risk of trademark conflict.
In 2024, a company based at Riva del Garda, Michelangelo International Travel S.r.l., filed the word mark “MICHELANGELO” before the EUIPO, claiming protection for services in Classes 35 (including the organisation of exhibitions for commercial or advertising purposes), 39 (including travel agency services), and 41 (including event organisation services).
Michelangelo International Travel boasts more than 40 years of experience in the tourism industry, particularly in the organisation of group travel worldwide. The company also contributed to the organisation of the International Gathering of Altar Servers in Rome.
The company did not limit its trademark strategy to the European Union. The first filing for the “Michelangelo” mark was made in Italy in 2023, after which protection was extended through an international trademark registration designating several non-European countries, including Australia, China, Monaco, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.
In April 2026, Michelangelo International Travel formally filed an opposition against the “Michelangelus” trademark application, requesting refusal of registration for the services in Classes 35, 39, 41, and 43.
According to the Opponent, the similarity between the signs, combined with the identity and/or similarity of the relevant services, gives rise to a likelihood of confusion for the relevant public within the European Union.
Following the filing of the opposition, the Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano decided to remove the contested classes from the list of goods and services claimed in the “Michelangelus” application by filing a limitation request.
The request was submitted only a few days ago and, should it be accepted by the EUIPO, the opposition proceedings would effectively become devoid of purpose, as the contested services would no longer form part of the application. The Vatican’s trademark application would therefore proceed towards registration for Classes 04, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, and 38 only.
Without prejudice to the (highly plausible) assumption that the Fabbrica di San Pietro duly carried out the appropriate clearance searches beforehand, this case nevertheless serves as a useful reminder of the importance of verifying the existence of prior identical or similar trademarks before filing a new trademark application.
Indeed, filing a trademark without first assessing the existence of earlier conflicting rights may expose a company to a number of risks, including oppositions, objections, rebranding requests, and, in more complex cases, litigation. Even a seemingly original trademark may conflict with earlier rights registered for identical or similar goods and services, thereby generating a likelihood of confusion among the relevant public.
Trademark clearance searches therefore make it possible to assess, in advance, the strength and registrability of the intended sign, identify potential criticalities, and take corrective action before filing, when strategic flexibility is still greater and costs remain comparatively limited.
Beyond the legal perspective, there is also a significant strategic component: building a brand around a genuinely available trademark means investing in a safer, more defensible, and more sustainable identity over time.
In other words, a thorough preliminary clearance assessment can help prevent future disputes and ultimately become a significant competitive advantage.
INTERPATENT is available to conduct trademark clearance searches, in order to identify any potential issues in advance and to assist our Clients in defining the most appropriate filing strategy for their trademark portfolio.