VeryMark Trade Mark & Copyright Attorneys

Thank You For The Music – But No Thanks Say Abba!

Philip Cooper — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:04:28 +0000

Abba lawyers have told more than 15 tribute acts that they can no longer use the Abba name. There are reputed to be more than 40 Abba tribute bands in the UK alone such as Abba’s Angels and Abba UK but lawyers for Universal Music in Sweden have started sending out notices to tribute acts demanding that they cease using the Abba name.

Tribute acts are a growing phenomena and the Glastonbudget music festival has acts like Oasish, Guns 2 Roses and Coldplace, and tribute management company Psycho represents acts with names like Probably Robbie.

If the original act is no longer performing people may ask not only where is the harm but that surely it helps sales of the original music. However, Universal Music claim that they have had complaints from all over the world from disappointed fans.

Some groups license use of their name to tributes, but there is no doubt that any act using the original group’s name in their title will be guilty of trade mark infringement if the name is registered. Conversely, acts whose name has not been protected by trade mark registration have sometimes found themselves mired in litigation after their breakup over who owns the name.

Battle of the Book

Philip Cooper — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:54:37 +0000

Tradition has it that about the year 560 when Saint Columba visited Clonard Abbey in Ireland, he copied a book of psalms. When the Abbot, Finian, discovered this, he objected and the dispute went before the High King of Ireland, Diarmait mac Cerbaill. It was decided in Finian’s favour on the basis of what the High King asserted as the natural principle of: “To every cow its calf, to every book it’s copy”. This is one of the oldest references to the idea of copyright.

However, Columba did not accept the decision, which lead to the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne when many were killed. It was after this that Columba went to Scotland to found a monastery at Iona.

Supermarkets & Brands

Philip Cooper — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:45:56 +0000

I’ve just published here a first study of the phenomenon of supermarket lookalikes.

Sweet Surprise

Philip Cooper — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:04:12 +0000

I spent today with a new client, a well-known Indian sweet maker whose competitor has registered the client’s logo as his (the competitor’s) trade mark and then threatened the client with being sued if he doesn’t stop all use of his name and logo! I am happy with the strength of the client’s case, but he is understandably worried about the cost.

It’s a shame that new businesses don’t want to spend their money on trade mark registration to protect their identity and established successful businesses don’t think it will happen to them – as the client said, hindsight is easy wisdom!

Election Night Politics Quiz

Philip Cooper — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:48:10 +0000

I was asked to create a Politics Quiz for one of the Business on Toast networking groups meeting tonight in Derby, which you can see here. It’s fun, free and lighthearted, so why not have a go?

Delia Derbyshire

Philip Cooper — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:53:19 +0000

Today is Delia Derbyshire’s birthday. She was the creator of one of the most iconic musical trade marks, the Doctor Who theme – see here.