L'Oreal (UK) Ltd & Anr v. Johnson & Johnson & Anr [2000] EWHC Ch 129 (7th March, 2000)

L'Oreal (UK) Ltd & Anr v. Johnson & Johnson & Anr [2000] EWHC Ch 129 (7th March, 2000)

The Defendants' letter, read in context, constituted a threat of trade mark infringement proceedings sufficient to engage Section 21 and manifested a real issue and adverse claim, justifying the Claimants' application for declaratory relief.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2000] EWHC Ch 129
Parties
Claimant: L'Oréal (UK) Limited; Claimant: Golden Limited; Defendant: Johnson & Johnson; Defendant: Johnson & Johnson Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From Master Bragge's Order Striking Out Claims
Outcome
appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Trade Mark Infringement, Declaratory Relief, Unjustified Threats, Inherent Jurisdiction
Intellectual Property Civil Procedure Trade Mark Infringement Declaratory Relief Unjustified Threats Inherent Jurisdiction

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

L'Oréal (UK) Limited

Claimant

Golden Limited

Claimant

Johnson & Johnson

Defendant

Johnson & Johnson Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From Master Bragge's Order Striking Out Claims

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What constitutes a threat for purposes of Section 21 of the Trade Marks Act 1994
  2. 2 What are sufficient grounds for seeking a declaration of non-infringement under inherent jurisdiction

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendants' letter, read in context, constituted a threat of trade mark infringement proceedings sufficient to engage Section 21 and manifested a real issue and adverse claim, justifying the Claimants' application for declaratory relief.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • Claims for unjustified threats and declaration of non-infringement to stand and proceed to trial