Knowledge Hub · Updated 13 October 2026
Trademark Knowledge Hub
Free, plain-English help with UK trademarks, from the team that has been registering and protecting brands for UK businesses since 2008.
Everything we publish is here in one place: step-by-step guides, answers to the questions business owners ask us most, trademark news, real client stories, scam warnings and short videos. Search for your question, filter by topic, or start with what other readers are looking at this week. If you can’t find what you need, ask us and a specialist will reply within one working day.
News10 Jul 2026When Your Competitor Copies Your Logo: The Anthropic v Abnormal AI Case
What the Anthropic v Abnormal AI case teaches about logo trademark infringement, brand protection and why registering your trademark early matters.
News4 Nov 2024Trademark Owner does the right thing! The story of ‘Pho’
One thing we always advocate for is mediation over legal action, trying to reach a compromise without going to court usually saves time and…
News4 Jul 2024The Importance of Trademark Protection – Lessons from Nike vs BAPE
Safeguard your fashion brand with effective trademark protection, inspired by the Nike vs. BAPE case. Ensure continuous enforcement, quality control, and strategic s…
News12 Jun 2026Can You Use AI-Generated Evidence in a Trademark Dispute?
Can you use AI-generated evidence in a trademark dispute? What happened in our IPO opposition case, the ChatGPT decisions, and how to prepare real evidence.
News26 Sep 2024Google Embroiled in Trademark Lawsuit Over ‘Gemini’ AI Branding
Even ‘Internet Giants’ like Google are not immune to trademark controversies! We often talk about how Google is one of the biggest advocates for…
News4 Jun 2024Nike Triumphs in Legal Battle Over Stripes in Germany
Discover the latest development in the Nike vs. Adidas trademark battle. A German court has partially overturned its ban, allowing Nike to feature three stripes on m…
News27 Apr 2021McGregor looses fight to trademark his name for clothing line.
Connor McGregor news story by the trademark helpline. Conor McGregor has failed in a legal fight with a clothing firm over sportswear that bears his name.
News17 Sep 2026Can You Sue Someone for Copying Your Brand? What Louboutin v YSL Actually Decided
If someone copies your brand, can you actually sue? What Louboutin’s red sole case decided, what a registration really gives you, and when it won’t be enough.
News1 Jul 2026Should You Trademark Your Company Name? The Lesson Behind the “1587 Prime” Steakhouse Dispute
Mahomes and Kelce's 1587 Prime steakhouse is being sued over its name. Here's what the dispute teaches every business owner about clearing a name first.
News23 Jun 2026Gymshark Just Blocked a Copycat Called ‘GymBull’, and Why That Matters for Smaller Brands
Gymshark started life in a garage in Solihull, and this month it blocked a copycat trademark called ‘GymBull’. The garage bit is the part…
News23 Jun 202666,000 Fake Football Shirts Seized in Spain: Why Enforcement Always Comes Back to a Registered Right
More than 66,000 fake football shirts, around 16 tonnes of them, have been seized across Spain in a single coordinated operation as the 2026…
News23 Jun 2026Jellycat Versus the High Street: Why ‘Just a Cuddly Toy’ Is a Serious Brand Protection Lesson
Jellycat going after major retailers is a brilliant reminder that “cute” can still be very serious business. Most people look at a Jellycat and…
News23 Jun 2026A World Cup Marketing Warning for Pubs and Hospitality: What You Can and Cannot Say
If you run a pub, bar or any kind of hospitality venue, the World Cup is one of the best trading opportunities of the…
News17 Jun 2026Did you know that Umbro lost a Supreme Court case last summer?
Here is a question that tends to stop people in their tracks. Did you know that Umbro, the company behind one of the most…
News10 Jun 2026Can a Smaller Business’s Trademark Stop a Famous Brand?
How prior trademark rights let a Las Vegas performer challenge Taylor Swift's Showgirl filing, how the same rules work in the UK and why filing first matters.
News9 Jun 2026How a Trademark Dispute Turned Into a £322,000 Costs Bill
A UK trademark dispute cost £322,000. Discover why enforcement escalated, the risks of cease-and-desist letters, and how to protect your brand and budget.
News15 May 2026Think Before You Threaten: What the Crystal Bar Trademark Battle Teaches Every Business Owner
The Crystal Bar trademark dispute shows the legal risks of sending threat letters. Learn what this Court of Appeal ruling means for UK brand owners.
News3 Apr 2026When Big Brand Enforcement Fails: What the Easygroup v Easyfeetstore Ruling Means for SMEs
easyGroup's claims against Easyfeet dismissed. Learn what this ruling means for SMEs facing big brand trademark enforcement and how to protect your brand.
News30 Oct 2025SpudBros vs The Spud Father – What Actually Happened?
If you’ve watched TikTok recently, you’ll have seen a massive dispute between SpudBros and The Spud Father, which has blown up social media feeds…
News7 Jun 2025Your Brand, Their Website: What the Ryanair v Skyscanner Ruling Teaches Every Business About Online Trademark Control
Can you stop third parties using your brand online? The Ryanair v Skyscanner ruling reveals the limits of trademark law and the importance of licensing.
News19 May 2025Trademark Battles in the Den: What Rebecca Sloan’s Legal Fight Can Teach You About Brand Protection
You might remember Rebecca Sloan from her standout pitch on Dragons’ Den. She introduced the world to Piddle Patch, a real grass, biodegradable dog…
News9 May 2025Big News on the Big Mac, Amazon Advice, a WhatsApp Blunder and Bacardi’s Blow
Big news out of Europe. The courts have ruled that McDonald’s no longer has exclusive rights to the name Big Mac outside of beef…
News28 Mar 2025Bacardi Faces Setback in Havana Club Trademark Battle – Key Lessons for Brand Protection
In another twist to the decades-long trademark dispute, spirits giant Bacardi has experienced a notable setback. A Virginia federal court recently dismissed Bacardi'…
News28 Mar 2025Binance Faces Trademark Dispute Over ‘Peanut the Squirrel’: Protecting Your Brand in the Digital Era
A new trademark dispute has emerged in the rapidly evolving digital marketplace, with cryptocurrency exchange giant Binance facing allegations of unauthorised use of the…
News27 Mar 2025Thatchers Cider Triumph Over Aldi in Landmark Trademark Case Means Protecting Your Brand Just Got Easier
In a major win for brand owners, Somerset-based cider maker Thatchers has successfully overturned an earlier court decision, defeating supermarket giant Aldi in a…
News16 Dec 2024The Supreme Court Ruling: A Game Changer for Overly Broad Trademark Filings
In December 2024, the UK Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling in the SkyKick v Sky case [2024] UKSC 36, fundamentally reshaping the landscape…
News22 Nov 2024The Katy Perry Trademark Drama: A Surprising Turn
Update, 1 June 2026: The 2024 decision described below is no longer the end of this case. Stage by stage: in September 2008 the…
News22 Oct 2024WordPress vs WP Engine – Trademark Dispute
A Battle Over Branding and Legal Rights - If you’re in the web development community you’ll have been captivated recently by the ongoing trademark…
News22 Oct 2024Marvel and DC Lose Trademark on ‘Super Hero’
The End of a Super Era For decades, "Super Hero" was synonymous with characters that Marvel Comics and DC Comics came up with. With…
News28 Jun 2024Reflecting on House of Zana’s Trademark Victory Over Zara
Amber Kotrri of House of Zana wins a trademark dispute against Zara, showcasing small business resilience and the importance of trademark protection.
News21 Jun 2024Bacardi Scores Legal Victory in Long-Running HAVANA CLUB Trademark Dispute
Bacardi's HAVANA CLUB trademark battle revived by US Court of Appeals. The case against the Cuban government and USPTO challenges the 2016 renewal by Cubaexport, hig…
News4 Jun 2024Harley-Davidson vs. Next: High Court Showdown!
Harley-Davidson sues Next in a High Court battle over alleged logo copycats, emphasizing the importance of trademark protection. Discover the details behind Harley-D…
News26 May 2024Indian Restaurant Chain Dishoom Challenges Trademark Held by London Businessman
Dishoom faces a legal battle over the trademark 'Ruby Murray' with Tariq Aziz, highlighting the importance of Trademark Registration in the UK. This case underscores…
News22 Apr 2023Katy Perry’s Trademark Showdown with an Australian Designer
When you think of trademarks, you might not immediately think of pop stars, but the case of Katy Perry versus Katie Perry serves as…
News21 Sep 2021Red Bull challenge gin maker Bullards
A small Norwich based gin making business, founded in 1837, has become the target of energy drink super giant, Red Bull, over the use…
News2 Sep 2021Houston pop-up in hot water over SpongeBob theme
Viacom have taken legal action again Houston pop-up restaurant, The Rusty Krab, over SpongeBob infringement.
News9 Aug 2021Oatly loose trademark battle against Glebe Farm Foods
Swedish alternative oat milk brand Oatly lose trademark battle against Glebe Farm Foods
News29 Jun 2021Shein accused of IP infringement
Dr Martens has filed a claim against Shein for alleged IP infringement.
News24 Jun 2021Banksy stripped of trademarks
Anonymous street artist, Banksy, has been stripped of two more trademarks (four in total) for his works because he never intended to commercialise them…
News14 Jun 2021Next vs Next
Next PLC force independent retailer to change her business name in trademark dispute.
News9 Jun 2021Would you be confused between these two oat milk brands?
Swedish oat milk brand, Oatly, have filed a claim against drink supplier Glebe Farm Foods, claiming that their PureOaty brand infringes on its Oatley and Oat-ly! tra…
News15 May 2021Gucci & Facebook combine forces to take down counterfeit retailers.
Read how fashion label Gucci & internet giant Facebook are combining forces in lawsuit against counterfeit sellers.
News10 May 2021Chanel & Huawei go head to head, again, over interlocking semi-circles.
The first thing you think of when someone say’s ‘brand identity’ is the logo, just like the first thing you think of when someone…
News3 May 2021Michelin win trademark dispute against Japanese wine delivery website.
International tyre giant, Michelin, has been successful in its bid to prevent an individual in Japan from trading under the domain ‘Michelin-wine.tokyo’. The Tradema…
News25 Aug 2026Why Is OpenAI’s ChatGPT Trademark Being Opposed in Australia?
OpenAI's ChatGPT trademark has been opposed in Australia by the owner of the GPT property group. How oppositions work there and what it means for UK brands.
News14 Jul 2026First to File vs First to Use: The Question Every Brand Owner Should Ask After Anthropic v Abnormal AI
Anthropic filed eight months after Abnormal AI and is now fighting for its name in court. Why first to file beats first to use, and how to protect your brand.
News16 Jun 2026Oatly’s ‘Post Milk Generation’ Trademark Struck Down by the UK Supreme Court
There is a comforting little thought that a lot of business owners allow themselves once the certificate finally arrives, and it tends to go…
News30 Oct 2025IMPORTANT – Lessons from SpudBros vs The Spud Father – Part 2
Prevention Is Better Than Cure Registering a trademark is only the first step. The second, often forgotten and probably more important for you (the…
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Jonathan PatonFounder & CEOBrand protection strategy for UK businesses since 2008.
Matthew GriffithsCommercial DirectorClient work and our UK and international partnerships.
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