A case had been referred to the court as to the interpetation of the articles in the Directive. The court replied asking whether the subsequent Ansul judgement answered the questions raised. Held: By agreement with the parties, only one of the questions was answered, and four remained. The court requested the European court to continue. … Continue reading Re Trade Marks Act 1994 Trade Marks Nos 1338514 (in Class 5) and 1402537 (in Class 3) in the name of Laboratories Goemar SA and Applications for Revocation thereof Nos 10073 and 10074 by La Mer Technology Inc: ChD 20 Jun 2003
Judges: Chadwick LJ Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1523 Statutes: Misrepresentation Act 1967 3 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Thomas Witter v TBP Industries Ltd ChD 15-Jul-1994 An award of damages for misrepresentation required that there had at some time been a right of rescission, not necessarily a continuing right to rescind. An acknowledgement … Continue reading E A Grimstead and Son Limited v McGarrigan: CA 13 Oct 1998
An award of damages for misrepresentation required that there had at some time been a right of rescission, not necessarily a continuing right to rescind. An acknowledgement of non-reliance clause has become a common part of modern commercial contracts. An entire agreement clause limits the terms of the parties’ agreement to their written agreement and … Continue reading Thomas Witter v TBP Industries Ltd: ChD 15 Jul 1994
Leave to appeal – findings of trade mark infringement – liability as joint tortfeasor. Held: Recorder’s judgment faultless – leave refused. Judges: Kitchin LJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 219 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 10(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 17 November 2022; Ref: scu.472882
IPO Trade Mark: Revocation – no use made of the mark by owner. Citations: [2013] UKIntelP o09213 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.472214
Trade Mark: Rectification Citations: [2013] UKIntelP o07213 Links: Bailii Statutes: ade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.472206
Interlocutory Hearing in relation to a request by the Applicant for Security of Costs Judges: G Hobbs QC Citations: [2008] UKIntelP o24508 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Cited by: See Also – In The Pink (Trade Mark: Opposition) IPO 28-Jul-2008 At first instance (see BL O/135/08) the Hearing Officer had refused a request … Continue reading In The Pink (Trade Mark: Opposition): IPO 28 Jul 2008
IPO Trade Mark: Opposition – The application was in respect of ‘Eau de toilette, perfume, deodorant’. The opposition was based on registrations of a number of WITCH marks including WITCH DOCTOR and WITCH STIK.The Hearing Officer found points of similarity as well as points of difference in the respective sets of goods; (skincare preparations on … Continue reading Witchcraft (Trade Mark: Opposition): IPO 9 Aug 2007
IPO This was an appeal from the Hearing Officer’s decision of 2 April; 2003 (BL O/090/03) in which he decided that the provisions of Rule 13(6) of the Trade Marks Rules 2000 were mandatory and that the application should be deemed abandoned. Before the Appointed Person the applicant relied upon essentially the same arguments as … Continue reading Leather Master (Trade Mark: Opposition): IPO 20 Jan 2004
PO Trade Marks – Inter Partes Decisions – Opposition – 2211189 Judges: Mr J MacGillivray Citations: OPP 51391, 2211189, [2003] UKIntelP o40203 Links: PO, IPO, Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 16 October 2022; Ref: scu.455801
Citations: [2001] UKIntelP o56401 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 13 October 2022; Ref: scu.454503
IPO Opposition based on opponent’s registration of a TWIN CHEF device mark in Class 30. The opposition related to the same application under consideration in SRIS O/186/01, and the opponent relied on largely the same evidence and argument, but cited a different device mark. However, the Hearing Officer came to the same findings, dismissing opposition … Continue reading Pizza Pizza (Trade Mark: Opposition) O/187/01: IPO 19 Apr 2001
IPO Opposition based on opponent’s various registrations (Community and UK) of a TWIN CHEFS device mark in Classes 29, 30 and 32. In regard to opposition under Section 5(2)(b), the Hearing Officer accepted that identical goods and services were involved under the respective marks, and that the opponent’s mark had a reasonably high distinctive character, … Continue reading Pizza Pizza (Trade Mark: Opposition) O/186/01: IPO 19 Apr 2001
IPO Appeals to the Appointed Person Decisions – Trade Marks Judges: Mr S Thorley QC Citations: 2183690, [2000] UKIntelP o27500 Links: PO, IPO, Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Citing: See Also – Every Idea Safely Delivered (Trade Mark: Ex Parte) O-380-99 IPO 15-Oct-1999 cw Ex Parte Decisions – Trade Marks IPO Ex Parte. . … Continue reading Every Idea Safely Delivered (Trade Mark: Appointed Person) O-275-00: IPO 17 Jul 2000
The applicants sought revocation of the defendant’s trade marks on the grounds that they had not been implemented after five years. It was sensible to go straight from the Directive, rather than the Act which implemented it. The onus was on the holder to demonstrate use. One claim was for medical use, but the product … Continue reading UK Registered Trade Marks Nos 1338514 (in Class 5) and 1402537 (in Class 3) in the name of Laboratories Goemar SA and Applications for Revocation thereof Nos 10073 and 10074 by La Mer Technology Inc: ChD 19 Dec 2001
Applications for trade marks on behalf of the claimant had been rejected. Acquired distinctiveness was a significant issue, and the question of whether the appeal was a review or a rehearing was significant. In this appeal, the parties had given oral evidence, and the Registrar contended that any further appeal to the High court should … Continue reading Dyson Limited v The Registrar of Trade Marks: ChD 15 May 2003
The claimant said that the defendant had infriged its rights by the use of its logo on their publications. Judges: Proudman J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1489 (Ch) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd HL 1964 What is substantial copyingThe plaintiff alleged copying of their … Continue reading Future Publishing Ltd v The Edge Interactive Media Inc and Others: ChD 13 Jun 2011
An action was begun opposing a trade mark. It was conducted under the old rules, which did not allow for an order for discovery. After the new rules came into effect, discovery was sought, but the registrar said the old rules would continue to apply within the case. That decision was now challenged by way … Continue reading Regina v Register of Trade Marks ex parte Interturbine Germany Gmbh: Admn 22 Feb 1999
Judges: Pelling QC HHJ Citations: [2008] EWHC 2796 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 22 August 2022; Ref: scu.396460
The claimant opposed registration of trade marks by the defendant. Judges: Arnold J Citations: [2013] EWHC 589 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994, Council Directive 2008/95/EC Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 18 July 2022; Ref: scu.471879
The complainant appealed dismissal of charges against the respondent of displaying for sale goods bearing marks identical to registered trade marks. The defendant asserted that he had reasonable grounds for belief that the goods were not counterfeit having cecked with market officials and a VAT inspector. The magistrates had acted on the basis that the … Continue reading West Sussex County Council, Regina (on the Application of) v Kahraman: Admn 13 Jun 2006
cw Inter Partes Decisions – Trade Marks – Opposition Judges: Mr M Knight Citations: OPP 48009 / 48010 / 48011 Links: PO Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 12 May 2022; Ref: scu.175836
Lord Diplock said: ‘The common law of trade marks before 1875 The use by manufacturers of distinctive marks upon goods which they had made is of very ancient origin, but legal recognition of trade marks as a species of incorporeal property was first accorded by the Court of Chancery in the first half of the … Continue reading General Electric Co v General Electric Co Ltd; GE TM; Re GE Trade Mark: HL 1972
The court considered the nature of use in relation to goods under the 1994 Act, and the Directive: ‘It may well be that the concept of ‘use in relation to goods’ is different for differing purposes. Much may turn on the public conception of the use. For instance, if you buy Kodak film in Boots … Continue reading Euromarket Designs Inc v Peters and Trade and Barrel Ltd: ChD 25 Jul 2000
Rehearing/Review – Little Difference on Appeal The appellant asked the Court to reverse a decision on the facts reached in the lower court. Held: The appeal failed (Majority decision). The court’s approach should be the same whether the case was dealt with as a rehearing or as a review. Tanfern was limited to appeals from … Continue reading Assicurazioni Generali Spa v Arab Insurance Group (BSC): CA 13 Nov 2002
The Reef pop group applied to register ‘REEF’ for Classes 25 and 26 – e.g. T-shirts, badges, etc. South Cone opposed them as registered proprietors of ‘Reef Brazil’ for the footwear which also was included in Class 25. South’s reputation was primarily amongst surfers. The Hearing Officer conducted a ‘multi-factorial’ comparison, and rejected the opposition … Continue reading Bessant and others v South Cone Incorporated; in re REEF Trade Mark: CA 28 May 2002
[2013] UKIntelP o24313 Bailii Trade Marks Act 1994 592)(b) Intellectual Property Updated: 23 November 2021; Ref: scu.517126
Mark use in search engine was infringing use The claimant mark owner alleged that the defendant, in paying a search engine to use the claimants mark as a search keyword was infringing its rights. The defendant argued that the use of the same sign in different contexts could amount to a different and non-infringing use. … Continue reading Interflora Inc and Another v Marks and Spencer Plc and Another: ChD 21 May 2013
(New Zealand) The plaintiff, an MP, pursued a defamation case. The defendant wished to argue for the truth of what was said, and sought to base his argument on things said in Parliament. The plaintiff responded that this would be a breach of Parliamentary privilege. Held: A Defendant may not use libel proceedings to impugn … Continue reading Prebble v Television New Zealand Ltd: PC 27 Jun 1994
Sympathetic construction of national legislation LMA OVIEDO sought a declaration that the contracts setting up Commercial International were void (a nullity) since they had been drawn up in order to defraud creditors. Commercial International relied on an EC Directive designed to protect companies and third parties from the adverse effects of the doctrine of nullity. … Continue reading Marleasing SA v La Comercial Internacional de Alimentacion SA: ECJ 13 Nov 1990
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The appellant had sought to register as a trade mark the shape of a polo mint. The objector said it lacked sufficient distinctive character. The appellant sought to amend the specification of the trade mark to limit its application as to the goods to which it would be applied, and the dimensions and colour. Held: … Continue reading Societe Des Produits Nestle Sa v Mars UK Limited: CA 26 Jul 2004
Judges: Arnold J Citations: [2010] EWHC 443 (Ch), [2010] RPC 21, [2010] ETMR 37 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 13 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 01 October 2022; Ref: scu.403333
Fair Coment on Political Activities The defendant newspaper had published articles wrongly accusing the claimant, the former Prime Minister of Ireland of duplicity. The paper now appealed, saying that it should have had available to it a defence of qualified privilege because of the claimant’s status as a politician. Held: The appeal failed (Lords Hope … Continue reading Reynolds v Times Newspapers Ltd and others: HL 28 Oct 1999
The claimant and defendant had each operated using a the name ‘HotSpot’ for a name for its lottery. The respondent had registered the name as a trade mark. The claimant began to use the name first and claimed in passing off, and the respondent claimed infringement of its mark. Held: The law of passing off … Continue reading Inter Lotto (Uk) Ltd v Camelot Group Plc: CA 30 Jul 2003
The bank claimed that it had been defrauded, and that since an employee of the defendant had taken part in the fraud the defendant was had vicarious liability for his participation even though they knew nothing of it. Held: Where A becomes liable to B as a joint tortfeasor with C in the tort of … Continue reading Generale Bank Nederland Nv (Formerly Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland Nv) v Export Credit Guarantee Department: CA 23 Jul 1997
An allegation was made that Cuban cigars imported by the claimant infringed the trade marks of the respondents being either counterfeit or parallel imports, and were impounded. The claimant sought a declaration of non-infringement and their release, saying that the respondents had consented to the import within the Directive. Held: The appeal succeeded. The Cuban … Continue reading Mastercigars Direct Ltd v Hunters and Frankau Ltd: CA 8 Mar 2007
Judges: Lord Justice Green Citations: [2019] EWCA Crim 2253 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 92(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing, Intellectual Property Updated: 13 October 2022; Ref: scu.647041
The claimants sought to prevent the respondents from starting an evening newspaper entitled ‘THE MAIL’ as an infringement of their registered mark, and as passing off. In turn the defendant challenged the validity of the mark. Held: The word ‘Mail’ has not acquired a descriptive meaning, and nor is there any requirement in the law … Continue reading Associated Newspapers Limited, Daily Mail and General Trust Plc v Express Newspapers (an Unlimited Company, Incorrectly Sued As Express Newspapers Limited): ChD 11 Jun 2003
The claimant appealed against refusal of the registration of its mark ‘AX’ for confusion with the defendant objector’s registered mark ‘AXE’ for similar produxts. Judges: Mann J Citations: [2010] EWHC 2939 (Ch), [2011] ETMR 13 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994, Trade Marks (International Registration) Order 2008 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: … Continue reading Giorgio Armani Spa v Sunrich Clothing Ltd: ChD 16 Nov 2010
Appeal against dismissal of claim of trade mark infringement threats by the defendants’ lawyers. The court was asked to consider whether a letter, described as ‘the September letter’ was an actionable threat. Held: Lord Neuberger MR said: ‘In my view, insofar as such a question turns on the meaning of any particular passage in the … Continue reading Best Buy Co Inc and Another v Worldwide Sales Corporation Espana Sl: CA 24 May 2011
The defendants pursued an interlocutory appeal. They were being prosecuted inter alia for the sale of items manufactured elsewhere under trade mark licence, but then imported within the EU. They argued that the criminal offence did not apply since the marks had been correctly applied, even though the sales were not authorised. Held: The appellants’ … Continue reading Regina v M and Others: SC 3 Aug 2017
The claimant had licensed the defendant to use its trademarks in connection with the naming of their hotels in Germany. The defendants failed to pay their fees as agreed, the claimants terminated the license and now sought payment under the termination provisions. The defendants alleged misrepresentation saying that they had agreed the fee after being … Continue reading Six Continents Hotels Inc v Event Hotels Gmbh: QBD 21 Sep 2006
The claimant had alread challenged the validity of the defendant’s registered trade mark, but sought to do so now on grounds which could have been advanced in the earlier case. The claimant owned the trade mark ‘SPAM’ for canned meats, and the defendant had the mark ‘SPAMBUSTER’ for computer programs. Held: The claim was estopped. … Continue reading Hormel Foods Corporation v Antilles Landscape Investments NV: ChD 24 Jan 2005
The defenders registered internet domain names. The claimants alleged an intended infringement of their trade marks, saying the defenders had a history of opening sites intended to deceive. The defenders who were resident in Greece said that the 1982 Act could not be used for a threatened delict, but only for a completed one. Held: … Continue reading Bonnier Media Limited v Smith and Kestrel Trading Corporation: SCS 1 Jul 2002
The Trade Marks Act 1994 must, so far as possible, be interpreted in accordance with the Directive, and the relevant provisions of the Directive conform to those of the Regulation. Kitchin J summarised the principles to be applied when testing for confusion of marks: ‘i) The likelihood of confusion must be appreciated globally, taking account … Continue reading Julius Samann Ltd and others v Tetrosyl Ltd: ChD 17 Mar 2006
The defendants appealed convictions for contempt of court, on the basis of having wilfully interrupted the court. The respondent said that no appeal lay. Held: The statute was ambiguous, and ‘there can be no good reason why a person convicted under s.12 should not have a right of appeal against conviction as well as against … Continue reading Haw and Another v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: Admn 12 Dec 2007
The claimant challenged a finding that as Mayor of London offensive remarks he had made to a journalist as he was pursued leaving a private party had brought his office into disrepute. Held: The appeal succeeded. Though the remarks may have reduced the claimant’s personal standing, they had insufficient connection with his position to be … Continue reading Livingstone v The Adjudication Panel for England: Admn 19 Oct 2006
The patent application had been presented to the European Patent Office and granted only after 13 years. The claimant now appealed refusal to allow amendment of its claim to allow a claim in its sole name. The defendant argued that it was out of time. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘ the long-standing rule of practice … Continue reading Rhone-Poulenc Rorer International Holdings Inc and Another v Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd: ChD 16 Feb 2006
The claimant sought to bring his claim under a provision which required a complaint to the industrial tribunal to be made within four weeks of the dismissal unless the employment tribunal was satisfied that this was not ‘practicable’. He did not meet the limit. Held: Time limits in all statutory tribunals are jurisdictional in nature, … Continue reading Dedman v British Building and Engineering Appliances: CA 1973
The name ‘Parma Ham’ was controlled as to its use under Italian law, and the associated mark, the ‘corona ducale’, was to be applied to a sale of Parma Ham, including any packaging. Proper Parma Ham was imported and resold through the defendant’s stores, under the name Parma Ham, but without the mark being shown. … Continue reading Consorzio Del Prosciutto Di Parma v Asda Stores Limited and others: HL 8 Feb 2001
The court was asked if the section 92(5) defence applied where the defendant does not know of the existence of the registered trade mark in question. Held: The defence is not available in such a case. The court noted that section 92(5) speaks of a reasonable belief that the ‘manner’ of use of the sign … Continue reading Torbay Council v Singh: Admn 10 Jun 1999
Judges: Arnold J Citations: [2018] EWHC 3226 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Rules 2008, Trade Marks Act 1994 74(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 18 May 2022; Ref: scu.631375
Laws LJ: ‘Section 92(5) affords a positive and specific defence as to the use of the trade mark by the defendant. It does not provide a general defence of good faith … It seems to us that the provisions contained in section 92 have been devised to constitute a rigorous statutory code, involving offences initially … Continue reading Regina v McCrudden: CACD 2005
Judges: Lord Justice Coulson Lady Justice Nicola Davies And Lord Justice Birss Citations: [2022] EWCA Civ 594 Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 46 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 13 May 2022; Ref: scu.676997
The plaintiff sold the well-known ‘Budweiser’ beer in the US, but it was not generally available in the UK, being sold in American military bases and in a few duty-free shops. However, the beer was widely known throughout the UK because of the plaintiff’s publicity efforts as well as tourist and business traffic between Europe … Continue reading Anheuser-Busch Inc v Budejovicky Budvar: CA 1984
One of two project developers registered a Trade Mark constituting the name of the proposed development in his own name. The assets were, as always intended, later transferred into the limited company, and the two developers were directors. It was held that company name could not be divorced entirely from its trading name, and the … Continue reading Jonathan Ball, McDermot Will and Emery(A Firm) v The Eden Project Ltd, The Eden Trust: PatC 11 Apr 2001
Andrew Smith J: ‘No doubt in many cases the fact that a trader could ascertain whether a trade mark was registered by searching the register will make it extremely difficult to establish a belief involving ignorance of a registered mark is held on ‘on reasonable grounds’.’ Judges: Kay LJ and Andrew Smith J Citations: [2003] … Continue reading Regina v Rhodes: CACD 2002
cw Inter Partes Decisions – Trade Marks – Opposition Judges: Mr M Reynolds Citations: OPP 50827, 2179158 Links: PO, IPO Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 05 May 2022; Ref: scu.275024
The claimant alleged that disparaging adverts by the defendant infringed its trade marks and amounted to the tort of malicious falsehood. Held: There was no dispute that the mark had been used. The Act could not be used to prevent any use of another’s trade mark in comparitive advertising. In this case the advertisement, though … Continue reading British Airways Plc v Ryanair Limited: ChD 25 Oct 2000
IPO Opposition. Judges: Mr M Tuck Citations: 2007601 Links: IPO Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 01 May 2022; Ref: scu.276139
IPO Opposition. Judges: Mr M Reynolds Citations: 2262413 Links: IPO Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 01 May 2022; Ref: scu.274425
The applicant sought registration of the mark ‘Linkin Park’ under the classifications including posters. The name had been used by a music band, and objection was made, saying it would jeopardise the guarantee of origin associated with the name. Held: ‘The purchasers, and potential purchasers, of posters etc. purchase particular posters because they represent something … Continue reading Linkin Park: TMR 3 Aug 2004
Limitation of Loss from Negligent Mis-statement The plaintiffs sought damages from accountants for negligence. They had acquired shares in a target company and, relying upon the published and audited accounts which overstated the company’s earnings, they purchased further shares. Held: The duties of an auditor are founded in contract and the extent of the duties … Continue reading Caparo Industries Plc v Dickman and others: HL 8 Feb 1990
application to quash a forfeiture order made pursuant to s.97 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 Citations: [2018] EWHC 1255 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 24 April 2022; Ref: scu.618413
A company with same name as a registered trademark could trade under that name provided the use was honest and otherwise within the section. Citations: Times 09-Mar-1998, Gazette 25-Mar-1998, [1998] FSR 500 Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 11(2)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Scandecor Development Ab v Scandecor Marketing Ab and … Continue reading Scandecor Development Ab v Scandecor Marketing Ltd and Another: ChD 9 Mar 1998
Judges: The Honourable Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE Citations: [2022] EWHC 95 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 76 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property Updated: 24 March 2022; Ref: scu.671314
Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992
Judges: Lord Justice Munby and Mr Justice Keith Citations: [2010] EWHC 1304 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Trade Marks Act 1994 92(1)(c), Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 107(1)(d)(ii) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Intellectual Property, Crime Updated: 02 February 2022; Ref: scu.420408
The Trade Marks Act would only be concerned to restrict the use of a mark as a trade mark or in a trade mark sense, and should be construed accordingly. If descriptive words are legitimately registered [as a trade mark], there is still no reason why other people should not be free to use the … Continue reading Mothercare UK Ltd v Penguin Books: CA 1988
PI Damages not Reduced for Own Pension The plaintiff policeman was disabled by the negligence of the defendant and received a disablement pension. Part had been contributed by himself and part by his employer. Held: The plaintiff’s appeal succeeded. Damages for personal injury were not to be reduced by deducting the full net value of … Continue reading Parry v Cleaver: HL 5 Feb 1969
Shareholder May Sue for Additional Personal Losses A company brought a claim of negligence against its solicitors, and, after that claim was settled, the company’s owner brought a separate claim in respect of the same subject-matter. Held: It need not be an abuse of the court for a shareholder to seek damages against advisers to … Continue reading Johnson v Gore Wood and Co: HL 14 Dec 2000
The court was asked whether the appellant, Airtours Holidays Transport Ltd (formerly MyTravel Group plc), was entitled to recover, by way of input tax VAT charged by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in respect of services provided by PwC and paid for by Airtours. Held: The appeal was dismissed (Clarke and Carnwath LL dissenting) For the VAT to … Continue reading Airtours Holidays Transport Ltd v Revenue and Customs: SC 11 May 2016
The claimant sought damages in defamation in respect of statements made on internet bulletin boards. He pursued the operators of the bulletin boards, and the court now considered the liability of the Internet Service Providers whose systems had inevitably carried the traffic from the bulletin boards to their own customers. Held: The claims were struck … Continue reading Bunt v Tilley and others: QBD 10 Mar 2006
The defendant had been convicted of robbery. He appealed, saying that a member of the jury was a neighbour to his brother, and there was therefore a risk of bias. This was of particular significance as the defendant was charged with conspiracy with that brother to commit burglaries. The juror had sworn an affidavit that … Continue reading Regina v Gough (Robert): HL 1993
GPM had acquired an internet domain name ‘citigroup.co.uk’. Citigroup alleged passing off and trade mark infringement. The claimant complained of an unjustified threat. The defendant counterclaimed, and sought summary judgment. Held: The claimants registered the domain name on the very day that the merger creating the defendant happened. The reputation to be protected was in … Continue reading Global Projects Management Ltd v Citigroup Inc and Others: ChD 17 Oct 2005
Appeal by Shorinji Kempo Unity from a decision of the Hearing Officer. SKU opposed the application of the British Shorinji Kempo Foundation to register the trade mark. Warren J [2014] EWHC 285 (Ch) Bailii Trade Marks Act 1994 Intellectual Property Updated: 29 November 2021; Ref: scu.521393
A company which was using a competitor’s trade mark in the context of an advert, which made misleading and derogatory comparisons, failed the ‘honest practice’ test, and was abusing the rights to use the other company’s mark under the Act. In this case however each party was guilty of such failures. Times 08-Feb-1999, Gazette 17-Feb-1999, … Continue reading Emaco Limited, Aktiebolaget Electrolux v Dyson Appliances Ltd: PatC 26 Jan 1999
Local Council may not Sue in Defamation Local Authorities must be open to criticism as political and administrative bodies, and so cannot be allowed to sue in defamation. Such a right would operate as ‘a chill factor’ on free speech. Freedom of speech was the underlying value which supported the decision to lay down the … Continue reading Derbyshire County Council v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others: HL 18 Feb 1993
The plaintiff church sued the defendant, a Member of Parliament, for remarks made by the defendant in a television programme. He pleaded fair comment and the plaintiff replied with a plea of malice, relying on statements made in Parliament. The question arose at trial whether such reliance infringed Article 9. Held: It did. The plaintiff … Continue reading Church of Scientology of California v Johnson-Smith: QBD 1971
The fundamental principle that equity is concerned to prevent unconscionable conduct permeates all the elements of the doctrine of estoppel. In the light of the more recent cases, the principle ‘requires a very much broader approach which is directed rather at ascertaining whether, in particular individual circumstances, it would be unconscionable for a party to … Continue reading Taylors Fashions Ltd v Liverpool Victoria Trustees Co Ltd: ChD 1981
(Grand Chamber) The subsequent use against a defendant in a prosecution, of evidence which had been obtained under compulsion in company insolvency procedures was a convention breach of Art 6. Although not specifically mentioned in Article 6 of the Convention the right to silence and the right not to incriminate oneself are generally recognised international … Continue reading Saunders v The United Kingdom: ECHR 17 Dec 1996
The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005
The plaintiffs alleged the involvement of the defendant in a conspiracy to defraud. He had been domiciled in England, but had moved to Germany. He denied that the UK court had jurisdiction. The court of appeal said that jurisdiction was determined at the issue of the writ. The defendant appealed. Held: Where one defendant was … Continue reading Canada Trust Co and Others v Stolzenberg and Others (No 2): HL 12 Oct 2000
The defendant was convicted under the 1994 Act of producing counterfeit CDs. He argued that the affixing of the name of the artist to the CD was not a trade mark use, and that the prosecution had first to establish a civil offence before his act could become criminal. The prosecutor appealed the decision of … Continue reading Regina v Johnstone: HL 22 May 2003
Taxpayer companies challenged the way that the revenue restricted claims for group Corporation Tax relief for subsidiary companies in Europe. The issue was awaiting a decision of the European Court. The Revenue said that the claims now being made by other companies should proceed through the Commissioners who could implement European law directly. The taxpayers … Continue reading Autologic Holdings Plc and others v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: HL 28 Jul 2005
The claimant sought judicial review of legislative provisions requiring Internet Service Providers to become involved in regulation of copyright infringements by its subscribers. They asserted that the Act and proposed Order were contrary to European law. Held: The request was refused. No obligation had yet fallen on the claimant, and the exact form and rules … Continue reading British Telecommunications Plc and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills: Admn 20 Apr 2011
The husband had been convicted of various criminal offences including under the 1994 Act. The wife appealed against her conviction for unauthorised use of a trade mark, having allowed counterfeit goods to be stored in the matrimonial home. Held: The appeal succeeded. The authorities referred to by the crown were attempts to draw parallels with … Continue reading Kousar, Regina v: CACD 21 Jan 2009
Distinction between reputation and goodwill The claimant had practised independently as an employment solicitor. For a period, she was a partner with the defendant firm practising under the name ‘Bhayani Bracewell’. Having departed the firm, she now objected to the continued use of her name, alleging passing off, and requesting revocation of the associated trade … Continue reading Bhayani and Another v Taylor Bracewell Llp: IPEC 22 Dec 2016
The claimant contended for a common law remedy covering the same ground as the statutory right available to him under the Employment Rights Act 1996 through the Employment Tribunal system. Held: The statutory system for compensation for unfair dismissal is a complete system, and was intended to replace any common law action for damages arising … Continue reading Johnson v Unisys Ltd: HL 23 Mar 2001
The defendant company used the trade marks of the claimant on their web-site to attract visitors. However the trade marks themselves were not visible when the site was browsed, or when it was listed on the search engine.
Held: The use of a . .
The originator of ‘Bach Flower Remedies’ had distributed them widely, and encouraged the use of the term as a general descriptive remedies. After the plaintiff had registered the names as trade marks, the respondent challenged the registration, and . .
The parties had engaged in a bitter 95 day trial in which allegations of forgery, theft, false accounting, blackmail and arson. A company owning patents and other rights had become insolvent, and the real concern was the destination and ownership of . .
The claimant obtained an interim injunction in respect of alleged infringement of its trade marks in beers brewed under licence by the respondents. They said the beers produced were of inferior quality, and threatened the brand. The grant of such . .
The court was asked whether a trade mark consisting of the shape of goods (a three headed rotary electric shaver) could be valid. In earlier proceedings a representation had been found incapable of registration representing only the function of the . .
