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.
Trademark Cease and Desist Services
Received a trademark cease and desist letter, or need to send one? We draft, send, and respond to cease and desist notices to protect your brand and resolve disputes.
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…
Article28 Sep 2026Are Trademarks a Metaphor for Life?
Can a trademark stop someone using your brand? Not physically, any more than a speed limit stops speeding. Why registration still deters, and how it fits in.
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…
FAQ10 Oct 2026Is my business name too similar to one that already exists, could I be infringing?
Could your business name infringe an existing brand? How similarity is judged, why a clear Companies House check is not enough, and how to check first.
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…
Article28 Aug 2024What is Trademark Trolling?
Trademark trolling refers to the practice where individuals or entities exploit the trademark system by registering trademarks, often on common or generic terms, with…
Article28 Aug 2024Paul Dell vs Dell Inc: A Trademark Dispute
The trademark dispute between Dell Inc., the global technology giant, and Paul Dell, a British entrepreneur, centres around the use of the "Dell" name.…
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…
FAQ12 Oct 2026Someone is already using my business name, what can I do?
Do not contact or threaten the other business until the position has been properly assessed. Preserve evidence of what it is doing, including website pages, social m…
FAQ12 Oct 2026I’ve received a cease and desist letter, what do I do now?
Do not ignore the letter, do not panic and do not respond until the claim has been properly assessed. We have seen genuine deadlines missed because a letter was dism…
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.
FAQ1 Sep 2026What Is a Trademark Coexistence Agreement?
What is a trademark coexistence agreement? How two businesses share a similar name, what the agreement covers, and why it needs to plan for growth.
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 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…
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.
Article8 Jun 2026Can a Bigger Brand Force You to Change Your Business Name?
Can a bigger brand force you to change your business name? What Patagonia and TickTickTrader v TikTok show about who wins, and what to do if a letter lands.
Article21 May 2026Can You Sell Upcycled Branded Goods Without Infringing a Trademark?
Can you sell upcycled branded goods without infringing a trademark? How UK exhaustion of rights works, the Chanel, Rolex and Hermès cases, and checks to make.
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.
Video15 Dec 2025How to respond to trademark infringements
https://youtube.com/shorts/AdUXRJd0u-o?si=qsk_GzsIYOrpJmmj
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…
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…
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…
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…
Article1 Aug 2024What is Passing Off and Why does it Matter? – A Peloton Case Study
You’ve heard of Peloton right? Founded in 2012 by John Foley, Peloton revolutionised the home exercise market by combining technology and engaging fitness content…
Rame Consulting Limited
Fleur Cushman, Director, Curranz
Mike Smith, Director, Trinity Homecare
Angus Norris, Managing Director, Ruggerbeez
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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
Article6 Aug 2026What Is a TM7A Notice of Threatened Opposition?
A TM7A notice of threatened opposition gives someone an extra month to oppose your UK trademark. What it means and the opposition timeline, stage by stage.
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.
Article26 Aug 2026Someone in Another Country Is Using My Brand. Can I Stop Them?
A UK trademark is a territorial right and stops at the border. What you can do when a business overseas uses your name, and where you should be registered.
Article14 Aug 2026Can a Sponsor or Licensee Damage Your Brand?
Can a sponsor or licensee damage your brand? What Burnley's shirt deal shows, what UK law lets you control and what a trademark licensing agreement needs.
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.
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…
Article6 Dec 2024MetaBirkins: A Case Study in Trademark Disputes with NFTs
If you read our article Navigating Trademark Issues in the NFT World you’ll know that NFT’s and the rights and obligations to their creation,…
Article22 Oct 2024How can Partnerships and Collaborations support your brands growth?
Chapter 7 - The Power of Trademarks in Modern Marketing Partnerships and collaborations are done across all sectors, some more noticeable than others. In…
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Jonathan PatonFounder & CEOBrand protection strategy for UK businesses since 2008.
Matthew GriffithsCommercial DirectorClient work and our UK and international partnerships.
Alex PughBrand Protection ConsultantNew clients, international applications and hearings.
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