The authorities granted Carla Gómez, owner of the duck Merlín, the registration of her pet’s brand. The decision ended a controversy over the ownership of the name of the bird that became a celebrity during the 2026 World Cup.
Registration resolved
The resolution came a day after it was learned that two other people had requested identification rights before Gómez. The 48-year-old street vendor went to the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) on Monday to register the image and name of her 2-year-old duck.
Merlín usually accompanies her and her children when they sell water and soft drinks in the center of Mexico City. Faced with the controversy, Vidal Llerenas, director of the IMPI, stated in his X account: “It is a public and notorious fact that Merlin Duck is a pet of the family of Carla Ivette Gómez to whom the brand belongs.”
Gómez attended the conference of President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday with Merlín and her children, who promised to help her. Sheinbaum stated:
“Today we brought the family that has Merlin the duck as a mascot, because it has been a symbol of the World Cup… that is above anything else.”
Origin of fame
Merlín rose to prominence after the tournament’s opening match on June 11 in Mexico City, where the co-host beat South Africa 2-0. Images of the duck wearing the team’s green t-shirt walking behind its owner’s stroller went viral. The bird became the unofficial mascot of the World Cup and was designated an official ambassador by FIFA.
Gómez admitted his emotion: “It was the best thing that has happened to us in this life.” He assured that he decided to register the brand to prevent unauthorized use of his pet’s image.
