Blog Archive

• Footballer Lionel Messi wins battle to trade mark ‘Messi’
  Posted by TMR TMR on December 14, 2020 / Posted in Trade Marks
  After nine years, Lionel Messi has won a trade mark battle allowing him to register his surname, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled.
  After nine years, Lionel Messi has won a trade mark battle allowing him to register his surname, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled. The footballer originally applied to register the trade mark ‘Messi’ as a sportswear brand in 2011, but was hindered following appeals from Spanish Cycling company, Massi, arguing that the names were too similar and would likely cause confusion. Massi was originally successful in challenging the registration of the trade mark as the [...]
  Read more
• Band name change causes trade mark dispute
  Posted by TMR TMR on December 14, 2020 / Posted in Trade Marks
  In June of this year, the band formerly known as Lady Antebellum announced they were changing their name to Lady A, a nickname they claimed to be pre-established and used among fans since their formation in 2006.
  In June of this year, the band formerly known as Lady Antebellum announced they were changing their name to Lady A, a nickname they claimed to be pre-established and used among fans since their formation in 2006. Their key reasoning being due to the realisation of connotations linking the word ‘antebellum’ to the slave trade, vowing the name change to be their first step in a commitment to practice antiracism. However, what could be seen as a positive step for the band, was met with [...]
  Read more
• ‘Black Friday’ trade mark war in Australia
  Posted by TMR TMR on December 11, 2020 / Posted in Trade Marks
  In 2007, Australian fashion retailing company, Factor X, registered the trade mark ‘Black Friday’ for their ‘gothic’ clothing line, granting them ownership under two classes covering sale of clothing and other fashion accessories.
  In 2007, Australian fashion retailing company, Factor X, registered the trade mark ‘Black Friday’ for their ‘gothic’ clothing line, granting them ownership under two classes covering sale of clothing and other fashion accessories. Since their registration, the term ‘Black Friday’ has become associated with retail sales at the end of November. This association means that in some countries, such as Germany, the term is considered public domain and the trade [...]
  Read more
• Katy Perry v Katie Perry: Merchandise trade mark battle
  Posted by TMR TMR on December 04, 2020 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Singer Katheryn Hudson is facing trade mark infringement claims by Australian fashion designer for selling clothing bearing her famous stage name, Katy Perry.
  Singer Katheryn Hudson is facing trade mark infringement claims by Australian fashion designer for selling clothing bearing her famous stage name, Katy Perry. The designer in question, Katie Jane Taylor, trade marked her maiden name Katie Perry in Australia in 2008 and first sought proceedings against Katy and merchandise company, Killer Queen LLC, in October 2019. The specific items Katie’s barrister, Richard Cobden, claimed were in scope of the breach included products such as [...]
  Read more
• Netflix has settled ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ lawsuit
  Posted by TMR TMR on December 04, 2020 / Posted in Trade Marks
  It has been revealed by a US district court judge that almost two years after the release of interactive episode, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released 28th December 2018, Netflix has reached an undisclosed settlement with plaintiff Chooseco LLC.
  It has been revealed by a US district court judge that almost two years after the release of interactive episode, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released 28 th December 2018, Netflix has reached an undisclosed settlement with plaintiff Chooseco LLC. Chooseco are the current owners of the trade mark ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’, having sold 265 million books branded under the name since it began using it in the 1980s. Subsequently, 20 th Century Fox have an exclusive options contract [...]
  Read more
• Psychic trade mark battle to teach ‘Archangel Alchemy’
  Posted by TMR TMR on December 04, 2020 / Posted in Trade Marks
  Psychics Claire Stone and Alexandra Wenman are due to appear in the High Court following a dispute to the rights to teach ‘Archangel Alchemy’ courses.
  Psychics Claire Stone and Alexandra Wenman are due to appear in the High Court following a dispute to the rights to teach ‘Archangel Alchemy’ courses. Stone, of Merseyside, boasts a career as ‘psychic to the stars’, having appeared on television providing readings to celebrities including reality TV star Dani Dyer, as well as lending her skills to writing best-selling spiritual book ‘The Female Archangels’. In July, she began teaching online [...]
  Read more