Google is set to create a parent brand Alphabet

Google has announced that they are going to be rebranded as Alphabet.  Alphabet is set to be the parent company with Google being the largest business. Maybe Google should have contacted the Trade Mark Room for a trade mark search first.

It appears that BMW own the Alphabet trade mark and the alphabet.com domain name and do not wish to sell. BMW offer service packages to corporations with vehicle fleets under this trade mark and is looking into whether Google has infringed any trade mark rights.

For an action of trade mark infringement, BMW would need to show that Google’s Alphabet created a likelihood of confusion amongst consumers.  However this is only possible if both brands offer similar services and goods.

A legal dispute may be unlikely as Google has stated that it is creating a parent company, and does not intend to build products and brands under the Alphabet name.

If you are creating a brand and would like a trade mark search to see if the brand is capable of trade mark protection, please call us on the number at the top of the page so our experienced staff can assist you. 

By Sam O'Toole