Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine footballer, has found himself embroiled in a lawsuit over alleged plagiarism regarding his newly launched beverage brand, Mas+. The legal dispute involves accusations from Logan Paul’s Prime Hydration, which claims that Mas+ bears a striking resemblance to their product, leading to concerns of unfair competition.

The controversy began when Messi introduced Mas+, his new line of sports drinks, in a promotional video. “I’m excited to reveal the name of my new drink: Mas+. This name represents the essence of my life and career – Más+ means more,” Messi shared with enthusiasm in the video. “I believe that we can always give a little more, and I’ve achieved more than I ever thought possible through positive thinking.” Messi explained that Mas+ was crafted to offer a unique blend of electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and only a gram of cane sugar, designed to maintain a natural taste with no artificial sweeteners or colorants.

Mas+ features a range of flavors, many of which are inspired by Messi’s illustrious career. These include names such as “Orange D’Or,” which nods to Messi’s multiple Ballon d’Or victories, “Miami Punch,” “Berry Copa Crush,” and “Limón Lime League,” referring to the famous football tournaments Messi has participated in. The product was initially seen as a major business venture for Messi post-retirement, combining his love for sports with his entrepreneurial spirit.

However, things took a turn when consumers and industry experts began to notice a striking similarity between the design of Mas+ and Logan Paul’s Prime Hydration brand. Prime, co-founded by social media sensation and former WWE wrestler Logan Paul, was launched in 2022 and has quickly gained a massive following, particularly among younger audiences. Prime’s sleek design and branding have become a major part of its appeal, and many noted that Mas+ appeared to share several visual elements with Prime, raising concerns of potential trademark infringement.

Logan Paul, who has a significant social media presence with millions of followers across YouTube and other platforms, voiced his concerns about the similarities between the two brands. “It’s concerning that consumers are confusing Mas+ with Prime, especially in Spanish-speaking countries where people might think Messi partnered with us to create a localized version,” Paul explained. “The designs are eerily similar, and that’s something we have to address.”

In response to these accusations, the distributors of Mas+, Mark Anthony International, filed a lawsuit against Prime Hydration. The legal filing claims that Prime has engaged in unfair competition by suggesting that Mas+ has copied Prime’s design. The lawsuit demands a court declaration affirming that Mas+ has not infringed on Prime’s intellectual property.

Logan Paul was quick to address the lawsuit, calling the legal action “ridiculous” during a recent episode of his podcast, Impaulsive. “Somehow, they’re suing us for copying the design of our product. It’s absolutely absurd,” Paul said, clearly frustrated. “How could this even be a thing? We’ve never accused them of violating our trademark, but they’re suing us for no reason. It’s just dumb. But don’t worry, we’ve got a plan to protect our interests and make sure we follow the law.”

Paul didn’t stop there, hinting at the possibility of a counterclaim against Mark Anthony International. “If they want to make false accusations and tarnish our reputation, we’ll have to take legal action against them for defamation,” Paul threatened. “We’re not going to let this go without a fight.”

The lawsuit has garnered widespread attention and raised questions about the fine line between product similarities and intellectual property rights. Both Mas+ and Prime fall within the sports drink category, yet the resemblance in their design, packaging, and branding is undeniable. Legal experts believe that the outcome of the lawsuit will largely depend on whether the court finds that the similarities are substantial enough to constitute a case of plagiarism.

If the court rules in favor of Prime, Mas+ could be forced to rebrand or face financial penalties. On the other hand, if Mark Anthony International prevails, it could set a precedent for how trademark disputes are handled in the beverage industry, especially when it comes to high-profile, celebrity-backed products.

For Messi, this legal battle adds a layer of complexity to his post-football career. While his brand remains one of the most marketable in the world, the lawsuit could potentially tarnish his reputation, especially if it drags on. Messi’s team has not yet made a public statement on the matter, but the world is watching closely as the case unfolds.

This legal conflict also raises questions about the growing trend of celebrity-owned brands and the potential for overlap in product designs and marketing. As more athletes, influencers, and celebrities enter the business world, it seems inevitable that such disputes will become more common, particularly in the highly competitive world of consumer goods.

As the lawsuit progresses, both parties will undoubtedly prepare for a long and potentially costly legal battle. Whether Messi and Mark Anthony International’s claims are successful or Logan Paul and Prime’s defense holds strong, the outcome of this case will have significant implications not only for the parties involved but for future trademark disputes in the consumer goods sector. For now, fans of both Messi and Logan Paul will be left to watch as this drama unfolds, with the stakes growing higher as the case heads to court.