An application from the worlds largest family owned spirits company, to register a whiskey trademark known as ÂAngels Envy has been denied by the International Property Office, with the decision delivered on Tuesday 6th February. The Bacardi company applied to the European Union Intellectual Property Office to register the mark in March 2015, it was then converted into a UK trademark in April 2017 under class 33, listed as a North American whiskey and related drinks.
An opposition was then filed by La Fee, a distiller and manufacturer of absinthe who also has a brand named ÂEnvy trademarked under EU trademark number 013, 711 and 321. The trademark was registered also in 2015, covering spirits and drinks that contained absinthe in class 22.
Bacardi has Âmade no other comment on the similarity of other goods included in the class in this case spirits. But has denied any Âsimilarity between the marks that could lead to confusion claiming there was no similarity between absinthe or any products containing absinthe, in their own goods or La FeeÂs goods.
The office found that the marks were Âvisually, aurally and conceptually similar to a medium degree and that the goods covered by the marks to be absolutely identical, despite the additional word in the contested mark.
It was found by the UKIPO that Âthere I no likelihood of direct confusionÂ, but because of the additional word it did find there to be a likelihood of indirect confusion, Âas if the consumer does not mistake one mark for the other, they are likely to believe that the respective goods come from the same or economically linked undertakingsÂ.
It was concluded that ÂAngelÂs Envy may lead consumers to believe that it is a variant flavour of La FeeÂs beverages. In light of this BacardiÂs application to register AngelÂs Envy was refused and they were ordered to pay La Fee a sum of £600 ($837) for costs incurred.