Defeated at trial and on appeal in São Paulo, Thiaguinho takes to Brazil's Superior Court his fight to strip the name 'Tardizinha Gospel' from an evangelical event — judges say 'tardezinha' is a common word

Thiaguinho has not given up the fight over the name of the party that became the trademark of his career. Paz & Bem Edições Musicais and Tardezinha Produções e Eventos, companies linked to the singer, have appealed to the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) seeking to bar the use of 'Tardizinha Gospel' by the company Tardizinha Gospel Eventos and by Juliano de Bitencourt Vargas, who is linked to the pagode project Restaura. The STJ still has to accept the appeal before ruling on the case.

The requests were already denied at first instance and by the São Paulo State Court of Justice (TJ-SP). The companies argue the name can be confused with the 'Tardezinha' logo registered with INPI, Brazil's trademark office, and that both events operate in the same market of parties and shows. They also contend the TJ-SP acknowledged the similarity between the names but failed to consider the protection granted by the trademark registration.

The judges, however, found that 'tardezinha' (roughly 'late afternoon') is a common expression for events held at the end of the day, and that the trademark holder must coexist with similar names. The rapporteur also stressed that the artistic proposals and audiences are different: while the appellants target the general public, the gospel event mainly targets Christian audiences. Contacted by Portal Leo Dias, the parties did not comment.