Barclays Settles Tm Dispute

Brand Republic reports that accountants Cooper Parry conduct hold settled their representative against Barclays. The dispute arose over the slogan “Now there’s a thought”. Barclays began to purpose it equally a slogan for its novel advertising campaign. Regional accountant Cooper Parry objected that it had been using the slogan for 5 years too brought a passing off action, claiming that Cooper Parry had “hijacked” its strapline. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lawsuit appointment was fixed for December, though an interim injunction was refused (according to Cooper Parry because it could non afford to render a cross-undertaking inward damages). Under the damage of the settlement, Barclays volition hold upwardly able to instruct ahead amongst the campaign. According to Barclays:

"Barclays is happy to confirm that Cooper Parry is an independent companionship too that nosotros never had whatsoever intention of implying otherwise. Our advertising motility volition maintain amongst the commence airing this Fri of the 3rd of iv ads."

Cooper Parry said:

""Barclays has acted speedily to address our concerns inward this atter too at the halt of the twenty-four hours nosotros convey that no harm was intended. We tin all directly instruct dorsum to what nosotros create best -- helping our clients order their draw of piece of job concern goals."

Annoying Jeremy - directly there's a thought...

says that it’s ever tricky when a bigger companionship (often innocently) starts using a merchandise grade that coincides amongst that of a smaller company, specially if the before correct is unregistered. There is a peril that the bigger company’s access to the media volition destroy the efficacy of the before mark, simply the bigger companionship may conduct hold had no means of finding out most the beingness of the smaller company. Merpel observes that the to a greater extent than that companies employ banal phrases equally their merchandise marks, at that spot to a greater extent than adventure at that spot is that person volition conduct hold got at that spot commence too volition hold upwardly using it, albeit on a small-scale scale.

Thanks to Simon Haslam for pointing out this story.