Well FCUK me!
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Frik

Original Poster:

13,690 posts

273 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
BBC News said:
French Connection wins logo fight
High Street fashion group French Connection has won its fight to carry on using its controversial FCUK logo on its watches and on jewellery.

The UK Trade Mark Registry ruled in the company's favour, despite retired businessman Dennis Woodman claiming the use of the FCUK brand was offensive.

Mr Woodman said it breached "generally accepted principles of morality".

But the Registry rejected his claim that it could be "misinterpreted as a swear word".

Mr Woodman believed the FCUK trademark breached the 1994 Trade Marks Act, though his challenge only applied to watches and jewellery, not other goods such as clothing and aftershave.

But lawyers acting on behalf of French Connection argued it was merely a light-hearted play on words, noting that the trademark Dick & Fanny was allowed.

"French Connection confirms that Mr Woodman's action was unsuccessful. As a result, French Connection's trademark registration stands," the company said.

Wearing thin

Meanwhile, the US Trade Mark Registry said: "The Registry rejected the case, noting the evidence of the huge success of the brand and that the acronym originated as an abbreviation of French Connection United Kingdom."

The FCUK fashion campaign has already has a controversial history - it was censored a number of times by the Advertising Standards Agency, but was popular enough to boost the company's sales and profits in the early days of its use.

But after a slump in sales this year, French Connection scaled back the use of FCUK, while fashion industry analysts claimed the joke was past its sell-by date.

French Connection has warned it will miss profit forecasts again after its new ranges failed to attract shoppers back into its stores.

Earlier this month, the retailer joined the plethora of High Street names cutting prices in the run-up to Christmas.

Shares in French Connection were marked 2 pence higher at 258p on Wednesday.

I think this bloke made this mistake of battling for morality. If he'd just tried to sue them for making crap clothes with rubbish captions he might have been more successful.

fid

2,431 posts

270 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
Shhh, he'll be after your 'Frik' name next!

wedg1e

27,041 posts

295 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
"But lawyers acting on behalf of French Connection argued it was merely a light-hearted play on words, noting that the trademark Dick & Fanny was allowed. !

Is it? Never heard of it.

Wonder if I should start an underwear company... 'Wedg1e Pants'...

CommanderJameson

22,096 posts

256 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
Well, they missed a trick.

As it is, FCUK will continue to be printed on fake clothes on markets across the UK, to be sold as one of the chav noms de choix.

They could have taken the opportunity to break that link.

406tm

3,636 posts

283 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
Wow, that leaves the door open for a brand called China Nose Utility Trading

Frik

Original Poster:

13,690 posts

273 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
Could not understand this.

focusonme

691 posts

255 months

Wednesday 21st December 2005
quotequote all
Mr Woodman said:
it breached "generally accepted principles of morality".


He's right, you know. FCUK are singlehandedly responsible for ugly fat chicks walking around claiming they have Fabulous Cleavage Under Kits or something equally preposterous. If they limited sales of their t-shirts to attractive girls, no one would be complaining.