FINDERS KEEPERS
Arsenal ‘LOSE Invincibles branding ahead of 20-year anniversary’ as former star snaps it up for £30k
Former star has grand plans now he has the copyright, including a documentary
FORMER Arsenal star Jens Lehmann has bought the "Invincibles" branding rights.
The goalkeeper played in every single match of Arsenal's Invincibles season in 2003-04.
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And ahead of the 20th anniversary this year Lehmann decided to secure the "Invincibles" copyright.
He began the process, which has ended up costing £30,000, in 2020, and Arsenal were not aware of the deal.
Lehmann explained to the Daily Mail: "I had the idea because the name Invincibles becomes more and more popular approaching the 20th anniversary.
"And nobody had it so I was looking into it. I was ready to get the branding rights for our group, so everybody who's using it is violating our brand.
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"Sometimes you have guys from across Europe or Africa or Asia who were using that. They could have done that without permission and named themselves the 'Invincibles whatever'. And they can't do it anymore.
"They (Arsenal) were probably a little surprised because nobody thought about having the brand name registered. At least they know it’s now being controlled."
The German has big plans now he owns the branding rights, with the next step to set up a company with the backing of his former Invincibles team-mates and manager Arsene Wenger.
Lehmann, 54, wants to arrange a friendly between his former side and the Manchester United team from 2004, who were fierce rivals at the time.
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That match could take place overseas with Lehmann also keen to expand into Invincibles memorabilia.
He continued: "We have 28 players and 12 staff members, which includes the boss (Wenger). The company has not been set up yet because we’re preparing.
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"There will be one or two events here very soon, where we give something back to the people. Everybody will be a shareholder of the company.
"It’s easier to get all the members of our group in one company, because you have costs that you have created and you don't distribute that to 30 people.
"If we have income we are going to do something for a charity (related to Arsenal)."