Apr 24, 2026

The recent decision involving Cambridge University and a local rowing business is a clear example of the importance of understanding the legal principles underpinning naming.

When choosing your business name, it’s not just about creati...

Feb 27, 2026

Trademark enforcement is essential to maintaining and strengthening a brand.

It’s necessary to challenge third parties who infringe or otherwise trespass on your rights. So, taking action against copycats or lookalikes is the way to ma...

Jan 30, 2026

Imagine how much easier it would be if you could launch your start up with a name that’s already well known.

That’s exactly what Operation Bluebird, a U.S. startup, is hoping to do. The company is intending to launch its social network...

Oct 31, 2025

A trade mark (“TM”) is the single most important Intellectual Property asset of a business. So, it needs to be well looked after.

When you apply to register a UK TM the application is examined for registrability by the UKIPO Examiner. ...

Sep 26, 2025

Any business, product or service that evokes positive emotions and trust in us is invariably recognised by its name.

So, the name is the primary way we associate a brand. It’s therefore an important asset to prioritise protecting if yo...

Dec 5, 2024

“If this company were to split up, I would give you the property, plant and equipment and I would take the brands and the trademarks and I would fare better than you.”

So said John Stuart, CEO of Quaker Oats for over 30 years illustrati...

Nov 1, 2024

A trademark is a powerful asset for any brand. However, this valuable protection comes with responsibilities, so that if you don’t use the mark in the way required by the law, you stand to lose it.

This is the approach of the law becaus...

Mar 11, 2024

Reuters reports that Amazon has lost its appeal in a case involving the ‘targeting’ of UK shoppers.

In deciding that Amazon was targeting UK shoppers, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Amazon was infringing the trademark rights of Lifest...

Mar 6, 2024

Actions like trademarking a colour or piece of music are not for every type of business.

They’re difficult to achieve. You can’t just apply to register them like you do with a name or logo. Instead, you need to first become known throug...

Mar 4, 2024

Monzo’s ‘hot coral’ coloured bankcards are so strikingly different in the staid world of banking, that I’m sure they get some customers purely because of their cards!

It can be very powerful for a company to have a colour that is synony...

Feb 23, 2024

Some people were concerned to learn from my article An Expensive Lesson in Trademark Law that trademark registrations can be cancelled. It made for a sense of insecurity because what if their own registrations rest on shaky foundations?...

Feb 19, 2024

There are lessons from the recent BBC report about a chicken shop owner in Manchester who lost a trademark dispute against Tesla. 

Mr Ali trademarked the name ‘Tesla Chicken & Pizza’ in 2020. So in 2021 the IPO notified him that Tesla ...