Burberry successful in its action against Marco leather
20 Jul '06
2 min read
Luxury clothing company Burberry Group plc has announced a successful outcome in an action brought against Marco Leather for infringing its trade mark rights.
In the US case, Burberry said that Marco Leather had imported and sold over 100,000 counterfeit handbags, wallets and goods bearing the iconic Burberry check and Burberry Prorsum equestrian knight.
Marco Leather also registered a copyright consisting of a variation of the equestrian knight superimposed over the Burberry check, and was attempting to register the equestrian knight as a trademark with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
Marco Leather submitted to a Court Order that it do the following:
-- Abandon the trademark application for the equestrian knight logo
-- Assign the copyright registration for the check & equestrian knight to Burberry
-- Abandon all rights and appeals related to goods seized by US Customs and any other law enforcement agencies
-- Payment to Burberry of $100,000 in damages
-- Cease use of the equestrian knight and the check, and all marks 'confusingly similar'
Marco Leather nonetheless refused to admit any liability. Stuart Lockyear, Burberry's Director of Intellectual Property said: "This ruling marks an important milestone for Burberry and for the luxury goods industry. Burberry will not tolerate counterfeiting or abuse of its trade marks and will always push for the maximum penalty."
Burberry, which is headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange, was founded in 1856.
Burberry is a luxury brand with a distinctive British sensibility, strong international recognition and differentiating brand values that resonate across a multi-generational and dual-gender audience. It designs and sources apparel and accessories distributing through a diversified network of retail, wholesale and licensing channels worldwide.
marketing@alchempro.com
