Trade mark decision

BL Number
O/181/06
Decision date
27 June 2006
Hearing Officer
Mr M Reynolds
Mark
deWindies
Classes
29, 30, 32, 43
Applicant
Paisa Holdings Limited
Opponent
West Indies Cricket Board Inc
Opposition
Sections 5(3) & 56

Result

Section 5(3): Opposition failed.

Points Of Interest

  • Section 5(3): evidence of reputation.

Summary

The opposition under Section 5(3) was based on two registrations, WINDIES CRICKET and WINDIES, in Classes 14, 16, 25, 28 & 41.

The issue for the Hearing Officer was whether the name WINDIES was uniquely associated with the W.I.C.B in a trading context and whether as a result that body could claim the sort of reputation required to get a Section 5(3) case off the ground.

In the absence of evidence as to how the opponent had used either or both of its earlier trade marks, however, the Hearing Officer had no basis for concluding that the necessary reputation existed.

The Section 5(3) failed, as did the Section 56 claim.

Full decision O/181/06 PDF document143Kb