Trade mark decision

BL Number
O/002/00
Decision date
7 January 2000
Hearing Officer
Mr M Reynolds
Mark
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE
Classes
32
Applicants
Jackson International Trading Company Kurt D Bruhl Gesellschaft MbH & Company KG
Opponents
Mr J D Pope, Royal Shakespeare Company
Opposition
Sections 5(1), 5(2)(b), 5(3) and Section 99

Result

Section 5(1) - Opposition dismissed

Section 5(2)(b) - Opposition failed

Section 5(3) - Opposition failed

Section 99 - Not a ground of Opposition

Points Of Interest

  • 1. Introduction of new grounds of opposition.
  • 2. Comments on marks implying a Royal connection.

Summary

The application, which was in respect of:- 'Beers including low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beers; fruit drinks, fruit juices and Isotonic drinks', was opposed by the Royal Shakespeare Company under various provisions of Section 5, and under Section 99, 'having regard to the fact that the opponent company is incorporated under Royal Charter'. At the hearing the opponents sought to widen the pleadings to include Section 3(4), Section 4(1)(d) and Section 5(4), but this was refused.

It was conceded that there was no basis for the objection under Section 5(1); This ground was therefore dismissed. Under Section 5(2)(b) the marks were found to be potentially confusing but there was no similarity in the goods. Under Section 5(3) the Hearing Officer did not find tangible danger to the reputation of the opponents mark. Section 99 deals with unauthorised use and does not provide a route for a refusal of registration - such route being found in Section 4. The opposition therefore failed under Section 99.

Full decision O/002/00 PDF document37Kb