YouView settles trademark dispute
September 24, 2014
YouView has reached a settlement with telco Total Limited to continue using the ‘YouView’ brand name.
The connected TV platform’s original application to trademark the name was rejected by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) following objections by Gloucestershire based Total which uses the similar ‘Your View’ brand.
Total argued that granting the YouView application for the same classes of goods and services as it owns the Your View trademark could cause confusion with, or dilute, its own brand.
In November 2012 YouView lost an appeal against the IPO’s decision after which Total threatened court action if the TV service failed to change its name. That case was heard earlier this year with the court backing Total’s claims that YouView’s use of its claimed trademark could cause confusion.
But the two sides have now reached a confidential settlement which allows YouView to continue using its name and avoids a potentially costly rebranding.
In a statement, YouView said: “We have reached a mutual agreement with Total Ltd on the recent trade mark issue which is now fully resolved. YouView will continue to use the YouView brand for all of its services.”