Trade mark decision
- BL Number
- O/480/02
- Decision date
- 27 November 2002
- Hearing Officer
- Dr W J Trott
- Mark
- PETPALS
- Classes
- 42
- Registered Proprietor
- Mr James Rousou
- Applicants for Declaration of Invaidity
- Pals4Pets Limited
- Application for Invalidation
- Section 47 (Section 5(4)(a))
Result
Application for declaration of invalidity successful.
Points Of Interest
- Goodwill : geographical coverage.
Summary
This was one of two related cross-invalidation actions; the other is set out in BL O/481/02 qv. The mark at issue in this case was applied for a few weeks before that of the applicants. Both proceeded to registration, without citation. The Hearing Officer deemed it better to deal with this mark first as the ‘earlier right’ claimed by the applicants was likely to be the critical issue.
The applicants in this case could show use of their mark PALS4PET since 1998. The registered proprietor contended that there was no protectable goodwill as of the relevant date; or such goodwill as there was, was geographically limited.
After an extensive review of the law and the facts the Hearing Officer concluded that the applicants had a goodwill, which could not be confined to an area; the marks at issue were confusing and were for identical or similar services. Damage would therefore follow and accordingly he found the applicants had made their case. The registration in suit was declared invalid and was deemed never to have been made.
Full decision O/480/02 63Kb