In August 2009 BJJ Blue Belt Craig de la Mare registered the trademark: The New Zealand Federation Of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (no 811287). from the IPO

Recently he has threatened us with legal action for using “these words in conjunction with each other” on all we do.

I also place on record that you are not the Official Federation for New Zealand and by claiming this you are misleading the public. You are requested to notify anyone who has been mislead by your false advertizing [sic] including placing an advert in a National News Paper and placing the above on the website and any other place were you have made such false claimbs [sic].

Craig de la Mare

NZFBJJ

This website will remove all reference to the word ‘federation’ and any inference left at the end of today is purely accidental and will be rectified upon notification.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a Martial Art that has build it’s World Wide reputation on action not words. Everyone practising BJJ in New Zealand knows it’s strength lies in the ability of it’s practitioners to prevail in physical conflicts, no matter the rules.

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts listed on this website: Douglas Santos, Paulo Oliveira, Pedro Fernandes, Geoff Grant and Steve Oliver are not lawyers, they have dedicated their lives to BJJ, they are Legitimate Black Belts in the Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

All our time, resources and money are currently being poured into finding sponsors and funding to assist the winners of New Zealand’s most prestigious Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition get to Abu Dhabi and we will not be fighting Craig de la Mare’s demands. In fact, by registering the TM he is well within his rights to make these demands of us.

Whatever we are called, the fact remains we represent New Zealand’s top schools and organisations in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Douglas Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sorriso Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tu Kaha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gracie Barra and Will / Machado! BJJ Blue Belt Craig de la Mare, through his legal threats, has done Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in NZ a great favour by strengthening the bond between the countries largest schools and organisations.

It’s just a word. It changes nothing. We will still run the biggest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions. We will still promote Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legitimately on all media. We will still award legitimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Ranks. We will still continue to grow this art of ours.

Any questions regarding this website can be directed to Geoff Grant

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