Frisby Spain won in Europe one of the key battles against Frisby Colombia and is now seeking compensation that could reach into the millions. The decision comes after nearly a year of litigation in Spanish and European courts over the use of the trademark, in a case that has pitted two companies with the same name but no relation to each other.
The ruling gives the Spanish company breathing room in a conflict that began as a technical dispute over intellectual property and ended up becoming a high-profile corporate clash. With this judicial backing, Frisby Spain is going on the offensive: It wants its Colombian rival to pay for the damages it claims were caused by the dispute.
Although it has not yet been made official, the Spanish company’s claims, according to what was revealed by its legal representative in a local Colombian outlet, could exceed one million euros.
Frisby Spain wins legal battle against Frisby Colombia, seeks millions in damages
European and Spanish courts have been recognizing key points in favor of Frisby Spain, especially regarding the right to use the trademark within the European market. This allows it to continue its commercial activities while other fronts of the litigation are resolved.
But the most important move is another one. The Spanish company has filed a claim for damages, arguing that the conflict caused it economic losses, delays in its expansion, and a blow to its image.
According to its argument, the controversy directly affected its business, from the opening of locations to its positioning with clients and investors.
The amount of compensation is not yet defined, but Charles Dupont, the Spanish company’s legal representative, told the local outlet Caracol Radio this morning that it could exceed 1 million euros. In this regard, Dupont revealed that Frisby Spain is seeking €500,000 for the months in which it was unable to operate; €200,000 corresponding to estimated earnings for four months; and full payment of the profits generated between May and December 2025.
The starting point of it all lies in Europe. Frisby Colombia, founded in Pereira in 1977 and now one of the country’s best-known chicken chains, had registered its trademark in the European Union years ago. The problem is that it never used the name there.
That lack of use was decisive. European legislation allows a trademark to be canceled if it is not commercially used over an extended period. On that basis, Frisby Spain requested the cancellation of the registration and managed to clear the way to use the name in that market.
That decision ignited the conflict. For the Colombian company, it was an appropriation of its brand. For the Spanish company, it was a legal opportunity based on a clear rule: If you don’t use the trademark, you can lose it.
From a legal dispute to a public clash and a potential multimillion-dollar compensation
The case left the legal sphere when the supposed arrival of Frisby in Spain began circulating on social media. Many thought it was the international expansion of the Colombian brand, which created confusion among consumers.
Frisby Colombia reacted immediately with lawsuits and complaints over trademark infringement. It also sought to halt the activity of the Spanish company, which initially faced precautionary measures that complicated its entry into the market.
From there, the confrontation escalated. There were mutual accusations, media pressure, and an open debate over who really had the right to use the name in Europe.
With part of the legal ground now defined, the discussion is shifting to money. Frisby Spain argues that it not only defended its right to operate but also had to do so in an adverse context that affected its development.
Among its arguments are delays in opening locations, legal costs, and the negative impact on its reputation. It also argues that the Colombian company may have indirectly benefited from the media exposure of the case.
It will be up to the courts to determine whether those damages existed and how much they are worth. This will require economic reports and a detailed analysis of what happened during the months of conflict, but it is already known that Frisby Spain has filed a counterclaim seeking full restitution of any potential benefit that this conflict may have generated for the Colombian brand.