All brand owners should take note and take active steps to ensure that the same doesn't happen to their trade mark.
The youngest Keeping up with the Kardashians star Kylie filed an application to trade mark her first name in April to "entertainment in the nature of providing information by means of a global computer network in the fields of entertainment, fashion and pop culture," according to TMZ.
Matt Sammon, Head of UK Trade Marks, Marks & Clerk.
The design and trade mark had not been protected.
Mentions a number of trade marks: "Hollywood Rhapsody," "Soto Rat," E. Marmorstein's trade mark for fur articles.
Trade mark law generally protects the trade mark owner against use of its trade mark without permission in a way that may create a likelihood of confusion or association with other similar products or services.
A registered trade mark does have to be distinctive, and a trade mark which simply describes what a business does may not be registered.
There is a risk, however, that combining a hashtag with the trade mark of another person could result in trade mark infringement.
Applying for a trade mark online is now very straightforward, using the Intellectual Property Office website.
Oh, and while we're on the subject, it's trade mark, not trademark".
