Kylie trade mark bid battle

Depending on the generation in which you have grown up in, the name ‘Kylie ‘ can strike images of a number of very different people.

This is all well and good until one wants to register a trade mark of the name.

This is the action Kylie Jenner has taken, half sister to the Kardashian clan, to give more emphasis to her forever-expanding empire of beauty and clothing products.

However, the application for registration of ‘Kylie’ in the US has been opposed by KDB, an Australian firm representing a ‘lucky, lucky, lucky’ star. 

The Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue already has a number of trade marks containing her name, including ‘Kylie Minogue’, ‘Kylie Minogue Darling’ for her fragrance and ‘Lucky- the Kylie Minogue Musical’.

She argues that by allowing the registration of ‘Kylie’, it will cause confusion for the general public and will dilute her brand.

In its application, KDB make claims that Jenner is a ‘secondary reality television personality’ in comparison to Minogue who is renowned for her activism in relation to breast cancer as well as other causes.

Incidents of where Kylie Jenner have been criticised by activist groups on a lack of sensitivity to issues involving race and disability. In essence, KDB are trying to defame Jenner’s character to highlight that the registration of the mark will affect Minogue.

This case is one to watch, as it will set a precedent as to how further cases involving this issue will be resolved.

Which Kylie will come out on top, only time will tell?

By Ellis Sweetenham