Guy Tritton represented The University of Cambridge in its recent successful opposition against Cambridge Rowing Ltd. Cambridge Rowing had applied to register as a trade mark a shield device containing the words “CAMBRIDGE ROWING” in the UK in Classes 25, 35 and 41. The University argued that Cambridge Rowing’s logo was confusingly similar to its trade mark registrations for CAMBRIDGE and UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE and that Cambridge Rowing’s use of the device would take unfair advantage of its reputation and constitute passing off. The University successfully opposed Cambridge Rowing’s application in its entirety on the basis of its reputation, with the Hearing Officer finding that Cambridge Rowing appeared to have subjectively intended to benefit.
Guy was instructed by Ben Britter at Keltie LLP. A link to Decision No. O/0090/26 is in the comments below.
