The claims of the London Taxi Company (LTC) to ownership of a trade mark monopoly in the shape and appearance of London black cabs have been dismissed following a substantial High Court trial.
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LTC, the manufacturers of the TX-series taxis (depicted above left) sued the company responsible for the development of the new eco-friendly Metrocab (depicted above right) for passing off and trade mark infringement, claiming that the appearance of the new Metrocab would deceive, and was intended to deceive, the public as to its trade origin.
All of LTC's claims, including its "deeply implausible" allegations of fraud, were dismissed. The counterclaim succeeded and LTC's trade mark registrations in relation to motor vehicles were invalidated and revoked.
Philip Roberts of One Essex Court acted for the successful defendants, led by Mark Platts-Mills QC of 8 New Square, instructed by Simon Clark, Rupert Ticehurst, Simon Goldring and Jamie Drucker of BLP. The full judgment is available here.
Philip acted alone at the earlier hearing successfully resisting LTC's application to conduct a market research survey of taxi passengers: Judgment available here.