Passing off in the jewellery world can be a challenge - particularly where first names are used in connection with a business. This claim was brought by Alyssa Smith Jewellery Limited, founded by Alyssa Smith, against Alisa Goodstone, who trades as Alyssa Jewellery Design. Ms Smith has operated a business since 2009, including via the websites www.alyssa-smith.com and (later) www.alyssasmith.co.uk as well as using the Twitter handle @AlyssaJewellery. She claimed goodwill in t

One of the highlights of the pandemic has been the opportunity to catch up on a lifetime's worth of TV. Fortunately, there are some truly great TV shows including the comedy Silicon Valley. It is not for nothing that this great TV show has been described as a documentary! It confronts many of the business issues that face the tech industry in the US and beyond. One of my favourite episodes is a mini courtroom drama (a binding arbitration, if we're going to be precise). The ep

A recent decision by the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court reveals the problems that can arise when businesses that once shared name fall out and do not have a clear agreement in place. The case covered 22 issues(!) in total, including copyright infringement, trade mark validity and infringement and passing off. Following a two-day trial in November, Deputy High Court Judge David Stone handed down his judgment on 18 January 2021. The case was brought by Cormeton Fire Pro

Photography cases have occupied a lot of the early years of the revamped IP Enterprise Court (or IPEC) more than any other type of case. For example, Temple Island v New English Teas (the red bus case), Hoffman v D.A.R.E, Delves Broughton v House of Harlot, Celebrity Pictures v B Hannah. One photography focused case which is of particular interest in the context of damages is Sheldon v Daybrook [2013] EWPCC 26. This case is relatively unusual by English court standards becau

Azumi Ltd v Zuma's Choice Pet Products Ltd [2017] EWHC 609 is a case about a dog's purpose. That dog is called Zuma. Zuma inspired Zoe Vanderbilt to set up her company Zuma's Choice Pet Products Limited and register the domain name dineinwithzuma.com. She planned to manufacture and sell premium pet foods via her website. As you may have guessed, the business was named after the dog. The website made frequent use of the word ZUMA and phrases DINE IN WITH ZUMA including the di