The UK based owner of a small business Tiffany Parmar applied for a UK trademark “Cotswold Lashes by Tiffany” in 2018. The scope of the application covers the following classes: 3 (cosmetics), 41 (education and beauty school services) and 44 (hygienic and beauty care services).

Against this application, the US company Tiffany&Co filed an opposition based on a family of early registered trademarks Tiffany for classes 3, 14 and 41. In addition, a trademark with reputation was claimed due to the fact that Tiffany&Co has been operating in the UK since 1868 making sales for millions of dollars every year.

The UKIPO upheld the opposition with the argument that there is a serious risk for consumer confusion between the signs. The claimed reputation was not taken into consideration, however, because according to the Office, it was stated for goods that are dissimilar with those in the later mark.

The case at hand shows clearly that it is not always possible for individuals to register their personal names as a trademark if they collide with an already established and well-known trademark.