TRADEMARK TUSSLE: Following a decision by the U.K.’s Intellectual Property Office earlier this month, reports have been swirling in the British press that Gucci has lost the rights to its GG trademark in the U.K. In a ruling published Nov. 5, the IPO did revoke Gucci’s U.K. rights to a version of the GG logo in four categories, which encompassed garments such as bracelets, shoulder bags, scarves and coats. The action came following an application by German clothing firm Gerry Weber to revoke the trademark on account of its “nonuse” in the periods from 2003 through 2008 and 2007 through 2012. The IPO ruled in favor of Gerry Weber, citing a lack of evidence on Gucci’s part to demonstrate the trademark’s “actuality of use” in the U.K.
However, according to Gucci, the ruling does not affect the use of its GG logo in the region, as the firm has a number of registrations that protect its trademarks in the U.K. and Europe. The company said: “Gucci clarifies that Gucci’s rights in its GG logo are not affected by this decision,” the firm said. “Gucci is the owner of several other valid registrations for this mark, including a Community Trade Mark [covering the European Union] for its iconic GG logo and those rights are directly enforceable in the U.K.,” the company said.
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