Piratas FC hit by MLB trademark lawsuit as club adds third TDP affiliate

The Veracruz football project Piratas FC was denied registration of its name and logo by Mexico's Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial after Major League Baseball Properties, representing the Pittsburgh Pirates, filed a plagiarism and brand‑invasion complaint. The ruling forces the club to redesign its identity just days before its scheduled debut in the Liga de Expansión MX on July 25.

Despite the legal setback, Piratas FC announced the creation of a third developmental team for the Liga TDP, based in Poza Rica. The new affiliate joins existing teams in Minatitlán and Sozca, expanding the club's talent‑development network ahead of its first‑team launch.