The owners of Liverpool Football Club have applied to register the Liver bird, the symbol of Liverpool, as a trademark. The club say it's a necessary move to protect counterfeiters making money from fake football shirts and have applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office to register the image for £450.

But Liverpool City Council said the club had "no right" to claim the bird as its own.

Deputy council leader Flo Clucas said the council was taking legal advice over the trademark application.

"I have some very real concerns over it," she said.

"They do already have their crest trademarked, but they have no right of ownership to claim the bird, or any version of the bird, as their own.

"The Liver Bird, not only does it appear on the Royal Charter for the council, but it is also used by local businesses and schools.

"It belongs to the city and nobody has a right to claim it exclusively as the own. It's a symbol for the city." 

The UEFA unveiled the new adidas TERRAPASS match ball – featuring a design inspired by the northern lights.

The new TERRAPASS match ball will be used during the UEFA European Women's Championship 2009 in Finland and which be the first UEFA European Women's Championship to boast its own match ball.

The new ball took pride of place at the WOMEN'S EURO draw at the Finlandia Hall in Helsinki. The shining light blue and purple colouring and futuristic pattern which give the adidas TERRAPASS its distinct look have echoes of the aurora borealis, the natural light displays which dazzle so many tourists in the Nordic nations.

adidas hope the design honours host nation Finland, which is renowned for combining creativity with tradition as well as innovative product design.