Bentley Motors has lost a trademark battle against Bentley Clothing. The tiny clothing company gets to keep its name.
Besides extremely expensive cars, Bentley also makes bags and jewellery, although it only accounts for a fraction of its revenue. Nonetheless, Bentley attempted to stop a 55-year-old manufacturer called Bentley Clothing from using its name.
Founded in 1962 as a golf apparel company and recently revived by a father-and-son-team, Bentley Clothing sells its products in just a few stores in England. The issue started when they re-registered for their trademark in 2008, just three years after Bentley Motors launched its own clothing line.
But the car company’s objection backfired: the UK Intellectual Property Office ruled that Bentley Motors does not have a notable or historical reputation as a clothing manufacturer. Consequently, Bentley Clothing should be free to use its name.
A tough one for Bentley. Bentley Motors, that is.
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- Bentley Motors
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- Bentley Clothing