Why Nestlé Could Not Take a Break from Trouble When Trademarking the KitKat Shape
Nestlé wanted to protect the shape of KitKat’s, but the courts had other ideas. Even though millions do see the breakable bar with the KitKat brand, the company’s attempt to trademark its shape ended in failure. This is one of the most high-profile examples of a brand relying on acquired distinctiveness and losing. The Application […]
How Brexit and Backlogs Are Leaving One Small Business Owner £30,000 Out of Pocket in a Trademark Battle with L’Oréal
For many small business owners, a trademark is not just a box to tick. It is the foundation of everything they have worked to build. But for Rebecca Dowdeswell, founder of nkd in Leicester, protecting that foundation has come with a heavy price. More than thirty thousand pounds in legal fees and still no resolution […]
Trademark 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 toilet that impressed the Dragons and secured investment from Steven Bartlett. It was a moment that catapulted her eco-friendly pet product into homes and headlines across the UK. But away from […]
The Trademark Trouble Behind Dubai Chocolate and What It Means for Your Brand
You’ve probably seen it. That glossy, pistachio-filled chocolate bar from Dubai that has gone viral across TikTok and Instagram. Rich. Indulgent. Beautifully packaged. It looks like luxury and it tastes like it too. But behind the glossy surface is a legal story that most people haven’t heard. It is not about chocolate at all. It […]
Big 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 burgers. That is right. The phrase that has been theirs for decades is now fair game in other food categories. Watch the breakdown in our latest YouTube Short, including what it […]
TM Direct Update: Trademark Direct Clients
Update – 5 May 2025 Trademark Direct have confirmed that their preferred email address for client correspondence is info@trademarkdirect.co.uk. They have also confirmed that their main telephone number, beginning 0208, is active and available on their website for clients wishing to make contact. We will continue to update this page with any further verified information that […]
Who Can Call Themselves a Chocolate Master? Lindt’s Trademark Battle Raises Crucial Questions
The debate over who can rightfully claim industry terms as trademarks is heating up once again, this time centred around the phrase ‘Master Chocolat’. Swiss chocolate giant Lindt is engaged in a trademark battle against Canadian chocolatier GRC Food Services Ltd., highlighting critical issues around trademark ownership, market positioning, and brand identity. This legal clash […]
Bacardi 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’s lawsuit against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), marking a significant victory for Cubaexport, the Cuban state-owned entity behind the Havana Club brand. This latest ruling, delivered on 24 January 2025 […]
Binance 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 trademarked character ‘Peanut the Squirrel’. Mark Longo, the creator and owner of the popular wildlife brand, has issued a cease-and-desist letter accusing Binance of trademark infringement linked to its promotion of […]
Thatchers 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 high-profile trademark infringement case. The Court of Appeal ruled that Aldi had unfairly capitalised on the reputation of Thatchers well-loved Cloudy Lemon Cider. This pivotal decision underscores the critical importance of […]