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Media
Dave owners fail to secure Dave trademark
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 1 February 2011
The owners of TV channel Dave have failed in their bid to trademark the station’s name, leading to speculation they might be forced to instigate another re-brand.
UKTV, a JV between BBC Worldwide and Virgin Media, tried to get the European trademark on the Dave name after successfully rebranding what was UKTV G2 in 2007. But the application was opposed by a London-based marketing agency also called Dave, part of the Engine Group. And, according to The Guardian, the European trademark body OHIM last week ruled that while UKTV could own the Dave trademark in certain categories, that didn’t include media.
The paper reckons that could mean the Dave communications company could now sue the broadcaster for trademark infringement. The Guardian quotes the comms agency’s founder Dan Bobby as saying: “We are very happy with the findings of the OHIM report, which vindicate a lot of our hard work over the past few years to protect our brand. We’re now looking closely at our options in terms of enforcing the decision under UK trademark law. As a specialist brand consultancy, we understand the important nature of trademarks and we will protect our own brand as vigorously as we would protect our clients’, including using the full force of the law, if required”.
UKTV could still appeal the OHIM ruling, but some wonder whether the company will now try to reach a deal with the other Dave that would allow both brands to co-exist, or whether another rebrand would even be considered for the comedy and lads telly channel. Maybe it could just be a bit more formal and go with David.
