Supermac’s Beat McDonald’s at the UK Registry. Here’s What That Says About Names That Look Too Similar
Most people worry about someone copying their name. Far fewer worry about the opposite, that their own name might be a bit too close to somebody else’s, and that the somebody else might be very large indeed. It’s one of the more uncomfortable questions I get asked, usually quietly, near the end of a call. […]
When Your Competitor Copies Your Logo: The Anthropic v Abnormal AI Case
A competitor copied Anthropic’s logo and got to the trademark office first. What the Anthropic v Abnormal AI logo trademark infringement case teaches every business about brand protection and filing early.
How a Trademark Dispute Turned Into a £322,000 Costs Bill
A large portion of the new enquiries we receive are from established businesses and brands who have received a cease-and-desist letter, telling them they need to rebrand. Often the question people ask us is, what happens when a trademark dispute turns nasty, and what it actually costs to fight one. A High Court decision handed […]
Think Before You Threaten: What the Crystal Bar Trademark Battle Teaches Every Business Owner
The fight over the Crystal Bar vape brand has generated more litigation than most trademark disputes produce in a decade. A Court of Appeal judgment handed down last week cuts through the detail to deliver a clear message: enforcement letters are a legitimate tool, but they carry real legal risk if the trademark behind them […]
When Big Brand Enforcement Fails: What the Easygroup v Easyfeetstore Ruling Means for SMEs
easyJet. easyGroup. easyFood. easyTravelseat. Since 2000, the “easy” brand empire built by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has grown into one of the UK’s most recognisable trademark families, and one of its most active enforcers. In the last decade alone, easyGroup has brought more than 52 court actions against businesses trading under names that begin with “easy.” […]
IMPORTANT – 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 trademark owner) and people who may accidentally infringe upon your trademark is actively monitoring it. SpudBros acted correctly in registering the Spudfather Trademark, but it looks they did not spot the […]
SpudBros 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 and gained headlines across the food industry. But beneath the viral posts, there are important lessons for every small business about research, UK trademark registration, and responsibility. What we know […]
We Got a 1 Star Review… You Won’t Believe Why
It’s not every day you get a one-star review for something you didn’t even do. But this is exactly what happened to us last week… It started with a ping in our inbox. “New review”: Cue instant chaos… Our WhatsApp group chat lit up with the everyone moving into full fact-finding mode (at 11pm on […]
When Ugg Isn’t Just a Brand and What the Famous Boot Taught Us About Trademarks and Geography
Say “Ugg” in the UK and you’ll picture the classic tan boots, trademarked, well marketed, and sold by the UGG brand. But say “ugg” in Australia or New Zealand, and you’ll likely get a different response. There, it’s not a brand, it’s a boot. A locally made sheepskin boot, to be exact. And that difference […]
Cadbury’s Purple Battle: When Colour Alone Is Not Enough
What do you think of when you think of Cadbury? Is it Purple? Cadbury’s has had some unforgettable adverts from the drumming gorilla to the “Eyebrow Dance” and may a heartfelt Christmas campaigns. It’s safe to say the brand has made its mark. But beyond the ads, one of Cadbury’s most enduring brand assets is […]