FERGIE GETS 'FERGIE' TRADEMARKED

Last updated : 07 September 2005 By Ed

From Scotland's Evening Times:

Sir Alex Ferguson is joining Becks and Gazza - by having his has name trademarked.

The Man United boss's application has been approved by the Patent Office after two-and-a-half years of negotiation.

It would mean his name could not be used without permission on more than 100 goods and services, from toys, coins, playing cards, pencil cases, ornaments, videos, DVDs, computer games, clothes, and football coaching.

A spokesman for Sir Alex's legal team said: "It is aimed at people who may be trying to rip off Sir Alex.

"Over the past few years people have recognised that there is a tremendous amount of value in a particular name. There has been a series of well-known cases, obviously David Beckham is one of them, who have taken the same steps."