Trade marks: Relative grounds (infringement) Flashcards
What must the P show in order to make out infringement
- Infringing conduct; AND
2. Ds mark is within the scope of Ps registration
What sections list infringing conduct
10(4) and (5)
When can action for infringement be brought
Celine: Only if use is:
- In the course of trade
- Without consent
- In respect of goods and services
- Liable to affect one or more of Ps TM functions
Definition of in the course of trade
Travelex: In the course of commercial activity whereby goods / services are manufactured and supplied in a market
Example of use not in the course of trade
Electrocoin: Use of mark as a winning symbol on a fruit machine
Definition of in respect of goods and services
RxWorks: being used for goods
What did Arsenal v Reid say about in respect of goods and services
Look to the end user’s perception
Example of incidental use, not in respect of goods and services
FA
Use of TM on invoice IS in respect of goods and services
Beautimatic
How to judge whether use affects trademark functions (2 cases)
Consumer thinks it indicates approval: Opel
Consumer thinks there is a link between the advertiser and the TM owner: Google France v Louis Vuitton
What section says that infringing use must be in the UK
s9(1)
Which case says that there is no need for confusion in a s10(1) infringement (identical + identical) case
Holterhof
3 things to note about the application of s10(1)
The comparison is between the senior mark as it appears on the register and the junior mark: British Sugar
The test is STRICT because protection is absolute: LTJ
For word marks, the lettering is irrelevant: Bravado
What is the test for whether signs atre identical
LTJ Diffusion: Does the junior mark reproduce, without modification or addition, all the elements constituting the TM, or, where viewed as a whole, contain differences so insignificant as to go unnoticed by the average consumer
What is the test for identity where the junior mark is contained within the senior mark
Reed v Reed: Is the extra content trade mark matter (anything which sends a TM message)? If not, ignore it
What is the test for identity of goods
Reed v Reed: Look to the core activities. Do not interpret widely
What is the test for similarity of signs
Sabel v Puma: Global test, taking into account all the relevant factors - visual, conceptual. oral. Average consumer perceives marks as a whole. Bear in mind that the consumer will not have both marks in front of them.
Example of marks found to be similar on aural grounds
Lloyd Schufabrik: Lloyd and Loint
Example of marks found not to be visually similar
IKEA / IDEA - the junior mark had extra TM matter (considered purchase)
Example of conceptually similar marks
Neutralia / Neutrogena (impulse buy)
Test for similarity of goods
Canon: Nature of goods, end users, method of use, competitive, complementary
3 types of confusion
Direct, indirect or association (nb association goes to define scope of confusion, is not a separate test - Sabel v Puma)