Clancy PC - IP Law
  • Home
  • About
  • Team
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • IP Blog
  • Clancy PC TM Application Form
  • Clancy PC Forms

@CanadianIP News


Follow us on Twitter @CanadianIP
Follow us on Instagram @ClancyPClaw
Clancy PC, Intellectual Property Law, Paula Clancy, Trademarks, Canadian IP, @CanadianIP, IP

Dethroning the Game of Thrones – A Trademark Battle

9/5/2019

 
Picture
With the hit HBO series, Game of Thrones, airing its final season the show is being touted as one of the greatest television series of all time.  Not surprisingly, others may be trying to capitalize on the show’s wild international success.  

The UKIPO has issued two blows to HBO in its attempt to protect its GAME OF THRONES brand:  it has rejected HBO’s opposition to the registration of “Game of Vapes” and “Game of Stones” in the UK.

Game of Vapes

The “Game of Vapes” mark is for use in association with tobacco and smokers’ articles. The UKIPO found that the marks “Game of Vapes” and “Game of Thrones” were phonetically similar but the conceptual difference between the words “vapes” and “thrones” was enough to differentiate the brands.

In addition, it was found that the differences were enough for the average consumer to understand “Game of Vapes” was a ‘comedic play’ on the Game of Thrones, and not an attempt to deceive customers as to the origin of the products.

Game of Stones

The “Game of Stones” mark is for use in association with beers sold by Wadworth and Company Limited. Established for over a century, Wadworth is a brewery with strong roots in Wiltshire, England. 

HBO owns trademarks registrations for GAME OF THRONES ASCENT Logo and GAME OF THRONES which also claim beerand the sale of beverage products.  The Hearing Officer acknowledged that there was directoverlap in the goods.  Furthermore, the Hearing Officer acknowledged there was a high degree of phonetic similarity with “Game of Thrones” and “Game of Stones”. However, the use of the image of stones as well as the conceptual difference between “stones” and “thrones” led the opposition to fail.

It’s clear from the outcome of these oppositions that there may be many new “games” to come. Apparently the Seven Kingdoms may not exert much influence over the United Kingdom.  
​
For more information on trademark registration and oppositions please contact us.

Clancy PC, Intellectual Property Law, Paula Clancy, Trademarks, IP

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Appointments
    Awards
    Brexit
    EUTMs
    Paula Clancy
    Trademarks
    UKIPO
    WTR 1000

© Clancy PC, 2020
  • Home
  • About
  • Team
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • IP Blog
  • Clancy PC TM Application Form
  • Clancy PC Forms
Clancy PC Live Chat ×

Connecting

You: ::content::
::agent_name:: ::content::
::content::
::content::