International sides have dominated the football shirt industry during the last week. We take a look at a few of the biggest stories. 

Every club has a symbol. An emblem with historical significance. The badge on the shirt that is worn upon the heart. And for Liverpool FC, it may soon become an official trademark.

Liverpool’s Liver Bird

The owners of Liverpool Football Club have applied to register the Liver Bird, the symbol of Liverpool, as a trademark. The club say it’s a necessary move to protect counterfeiters making money from fake football shirts and have applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office to register the image for £450. But Liverpool City Council said the club had “no right” to claim the bird as its own. Deputy council leader Flo Clucas said the council was taking legal advice over the trademark application. “I have some very real concerns over it,” she said.

“They do already have their crest trademarked, but they have no right of ownership to claim the bird, or any version of the bird, as their own. The Liver Bird, not only does it appear on the Royal Charter for the council, but it is also used by local businesses and schools. It belongs to the city and nobody has a right to claim it exclusively as the own. It’s a symbol for the city.”