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Manchester City's new badge appears to have been released first by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

City will officially unveil their new crest on Boxing Day, however the IPO have published what seems to be the badge on their website , listing the date City trademarked it.

The IPO's page also links to a section that allows visitors to view the owner's other trademarks, which includes another design which was filed on Tuesday, as well as the revered 1970s badge, which City trademarked in September.

City launched a consultation with supporters over a potential change to the current badge in September and many expressed a desire to return to the old crest, the circular badge containing the Mancunian ship symbol and the red rose of Lancashire.

Urban legend had it that the copyright was owned by the former owner of the club’s souvenir shop.

Businessman Eddie Phillips ran the shop outside Maine Road, which began life as a small wooden hut from the late 1970s and throughout the Peter Swales era.

However, Mr Phillips has told the M.E.N that claims of him being the catalyst are a myth, and that the club are free to use the old crest anytime they wish.

The MEN has contacted Manchester City for a comment.

The IPO said the image was released as is standard practice for all trademark applications.

How fans are reacting to 'new City logo'

Manchester City fans have given a mixed response to the image which has been put on the internet.

Although no formal confirmation has been given as to whether the galleon-motif design is the club's official new crest, it hasn't stopped fans from airing their views.

Some have applauded the new design - while others have hit out that the initials 'FC' do not appear in the logo and also questioned the appearance of a Red Rose, historically associated with the county of Lancashire.

Photographer and City fan Kevin Cummins tweeted: “Let's hope not – we're not in Lancashire, so why the red rose?”

Here's how other fans reacted:

What is the Intellectual Property Office?

The IPO is the UK government's official body for recognising and protecting intellectual property rights across the UK.

Linked to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills it has responsibility for examining and accepting patents and maintaining a register of trademarks, patents and designs.

Any business or organisation seeking to use and protect corporate logos must apply to the body to check whether any similar or identical design has already been resgistered.