
Hugo Boss trademark challenge turned into PR nightmare
What happens when an internationally well-known luxury fashion house goes against a small family-owned Welsh brewery? As it turns out, a lot of unexpected things.
To answer whether a font could be considered a unique element, we have to distinguish between word marks and figurative marks.
Word marks typically protect the text itself regardless of font or any stylisation. The distinctiveness of a word mark comes from the word(s) themselves. If the word mark is not inherently distinctive, a unique font alone may not be sufficient to increase its chances of being registered.
In contrast, for a figurative (logo) mark, the combination of textual and design elements is taken into consideration. A figurative mark primarily protects the final visual presentation achieved by the combination of the mark's elements. Here, a unique font can contribute to the overall distinctiveness and registrability of the mark and distinguish the mark from others in the marketplace.
What colour version of the logo should I choose when registering a trademark?
If my logo includes text, is the text also protected by the trademark?
Is there a way to update our trademark registration if we decide to alter our logo?
Should I trademark my logo, name and slogan at the same time?
I have a brand logo and name, do I need two trademark applications to protect my brand?
What requirements must a mark meet to be eligible for registration?
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