Trade mark decision

BL Number
O/139/06
Decision date
26 May 2006
Hearing Officer
Mr M Reynolds
Mark
Fletcher
Classes
12
Registered Proprietor
Fletcher International Ltd
Applicants for a declaration of invalidity
Fletcher Boats Limited
Application for invalidation
Sections 47(1) citing Section 3(6)) & 47(2) (citing Section 5(4)(a))

Result

Application for invalidation Section 47(1) (citing Section 3(6)): successful. Application for invalidation Section 47(2) (citing Section 5(4)(a)): successful.

Points Of Interest

  • 1. Bad faith.
  • 2. Acquiescence.
  • 3. Late filed evidence; application for confidentiality.

Summary

The applicants claimed that the mark had been used by its former owners for over 40 years. When that company had gone into liquidation they had purchased the assets including rights in the Fletcher name from the Administrative Receiver. The present registered proprietor had approached them at the time with a view to making a joint bid. Thus, he knew of their purchase and his application for registration was therefore made in bad faith. His use of the mark would be passing-off.

The registered proprietor denied these allegations and claimed also that the applicants had acquiesced in the registration.

Having considered the matter the Hearing Officer found the applicants successful under both grounds and he also found that there was no sufficiently reliable basis on which to find that the applicant had acquiesced in the registration.

Full decision O/139/06 PDF document50Kb