Rangers recoup legal ownership of name, logos and trademarks from Sports Direct's Mike Ashley
Rangers have regained control of a host of intellectual property including the club's name, logos and other trademarks from Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley.
Intellectual Property Office documents confirm that trademarks and logos including the Rangers name, RFC scroll crest and the image of the Broxi Bear mascot are now back under the ownership of the football club.
As the Herald reports, the branding and merchandising assets had been held by Ashley and Sports Direct as security against a £5m emergency loan taken by the club in 2015.
A Rangers spokesman said: "Rangers are happy to confirm that they are the registered owners of all the club's trademarks."
Although Rangers have regained control over the trademarks, they can still be exploited by Sports Direct through Rangers Retail, the joint venture set up under previous Rangers ownership which runs the club's merchandising operation and holds licences to use the assets.
Rangers have given Sports Direct notice to leave the retail deal, but the contract stipulates a seven-year notice period, meaning Sports Direct would need to agree to leave it or further legal action will be required to find a resolution.