Hugo Boss has partially succeeded in opposing an application by a Chinese company to register the brand name “UFBOSS” as a UK trade mark.
The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office has agreed with the German fashion brand, which argued that Shenzhen Yongfulong Technology Company’s 2017 application was likely to lead to confusion among the public, at least in relation to certain goods. Boss’s opposition was successful in blocking goods including eyeglasses, smart watches, cases for smartphones and sleeves for laptops, but it failed in respect of technical goods including battery chargers, computers and printers. Barring an appeal, the application will therefore proceed to registration for these latter goods.
Since the decision was split in favour of each party, the Hearing Officer made no award of costs.
Hugo Boss Succeeds – Partially – In Blocking UFBOSS Trade Mark
