Research and analysis

The impact of lookalikes

The issue of lookalikes is one that has been on the policy and business agenda for at least two decades.

• From: Intellectual Property Office
• Published: 31 May 2013

Documents

The impact of lookalikes

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140320154249/http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipresearch-looklikes-310513.pdf

Details

Well-known brands, and brand-owners’ groups, have long advocated specific and adequate protection against lookalikes under United Kingdom law, particularly in the context of possible business-to-business harm.

More recently, the issue has also become more prominent on the agenda of the European Union both in the context of so-called ‘free-riding’ in relation to trade mark law, and with respect to possible unfair commercial practices.

Authors: Phillip Johnson, Johanna Gibson and Jonathan Freeman.

Published 31 May 2013