Spanish Office Annuls 'La Mafia se sienta a la mesa' Trademark for Violating Public Order

The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) has annulled the trademark for the restaurant chain "La Mafia se sienta a la mesa", ruling that the name violates public order and accepted standards of decency.

The decision, issued on 26 February, follows a legal challenge from Italian authorities. The OEPM found that the name directly references the real criminal organisation known as the mafia, whose activities represent an ongoing reality rather than a purely literary or cultural concept. The Aragonese company behind the chain had argued that the Spanish public views the mafia more as a cultural phenomenon, linking the name to a recipe book and invoking freedom of expression. However, the office rejected these claims.

This ruling aligns with a 2018 decision by the General Court of the European Union, which sided with Italy. That earlier case stemmed from a 2015 nullity request by Italian officials to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which determined that the chain's logo promoted the criminal group. The EU court highlighted associations with activities such as drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, and corruption. The Spanish national trademarks had remained valid after the European ruling, allowing the chain to continue operating.

The annulment now threatens the brand's status across Spain. The company has one month to appeal the OEPM resolution.

"La Mafia se sienta a la mesa" operates 83 outlets, including one in Andorra. It reported turnover of €132 million in 2025 and aims to expand to 200 locations by 2028.