Bocacina Ltd v (Boca Cafes Ltd (Rev 1)

Bocacina Ltd v (Boca Cafes Ltd (Rev 1)

Substantial local goodwill attaches to 'Bocabar' and 'Boca'; defendants’ use of similar marks in proximity and for similar services is likely to cause confusion and misrepresentation; trade mark registration is invalid under section 5(4) of the Trade Marks Act 1994.

Parties
Claimant: Bocacina Limited; Defendant: Boca Cafes Limited; Defendant: Dercio De Souza Junior; Defendant: Malgorzata De Souza
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 October 2013
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment
Outcome
Claim for passing off and trade mark invalidation succeeds.
Legal Topics
Passing Off, Trade Mark Invalidation
Intellectual Property Tort Passing Off Trade Mark Invalidation

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 8 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Bocacina Limited

Claimant

Boca Cafes Limited

Defendant

Dercio De Souza Junior

Defendant

Malgorzata De Souza

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether goodwill or reputation attaches to the claimant’s goods or services by association with 'Bocabar' or 'Boca'
  2. 2 Whether the defendants misrepresented their business as being connected to the claimant
  3. 3 Whether the defendants’ UK trade mark registration no. 2594410 should be declared invalid

Ratio Decidendi

Substantial local goodwill attaches to 'Bocabar' and 'Boca'; defendants’ use of similar marks in proximity and for similar services is likely to cause confusion and misrepresentation; trade mark registration is invalid under section 5(4) of the Trade Marks Act 1994.

Court Disposition

Claim for passing off and trade mark invalidation succeeds.

Orders

  • Injunction restraining defendants from passing off using 'Boca', 'Boca Bistro Cafe', 'Boca Bistro', 'Boca Cafe', or 'Bocabar' in relation to business, goods or services.
  • Liberty to apply for cancellation of domain name 'bocacafes.co.uk' if not lapsed within 3 months.