A cautionary tale about trade marks and company names

[Scalloway]

Takeaway to change its name over 'nae bad' trademark row. The company name was available but they neglected to check trademarks.

An Aberdeen takeaway called NaeBadSpud is having to change its name as another food business has the trademark for "Nae Bad".

Owners Angela McCall and David Groves opened the baked potato shop earlier this year but recently heard from solicitors for Nae Bad Food restaurant in Elgin, Moray.

Ms McCall said now changing their name to NaeJustSpuds was costing thousands, but that they were determined to survive. Nae Bad Food said it wanted to use its trademark "without ongoing confusion".

NaeBadSpud takeaway in Aberdeen must change name over trademark

The shop in Aberdeen will change its name to NaeJustSpuds after a dispute over its use of "nae bad".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[martin_shl]

When I was a sole trader, the business name I had selected was inadvertently similar to another similar business in the same region (despite the name having no regional connection). I actually got contacted by a client of the other company asking for details to pay me. I corrected their mistake and changed my business name shortly after.

 

[AWA Training]

Takeaway to change its name over 'nae bad' trademark row. The company name was available but they neglected to check trademarks.

An Aberdeen takeaway called NaeBadSpud is having to change its name as another food business has the trademark for "Nae Bad".

Owners Angela McCall and David Groves opened the baked potato shop earlier this year but recently heard from solicitors for Nae Bad Food restaurant in Elgin, Moray.

Ms McCall said now changing their name to NaeJustSpuds was costing thousands, but that they were determined to survive. Nae Bad Food said it wanted to use its trademark "without ongoing confusion".

NaeBadSpud takeaway in Aberdeen must change name over trademark

The shop in Aberdeen will change its name to NaeJustSpuds after a dispute over its use of "nae bad".

www.bbc.co.uk

I have seen this, a few companies here in Northampton came unstuck that way too calling themselves "Easy ""

 

[FreddyG]

If someone does not understand the difference between TM and a registered company name deserves to get into trouble - it's business 101 and has been in the news countless times!