Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd (t/a Allen & Hanburys) & Anor v Sandoz Ltd & Ors

Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd (t/a Allen & Hanburys) & Anor v Sandoz Ltd & Ors

The survey evidence is not so flawed or disproportionate in cost as to warrant exclusion at this stage; the evidence may be of real value to the court in assessing distinctiveness and should be admitted for trial.

Parties
Claimant: Glaxo Wellcome UK Limited (T/A Allen & Hanburys); Claimant: Glaxo Group Limited; Defendant: Sandoz Limited; Defendant: Sandoz International GmbH; Defendant: Aeropharm GmbH; Defendant: Hexal AG
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 December 2017
Procedural Posture
Passing Off / Interlocutory Application for Permission to Adduce Survey Evidence
Outcome
application allowed
Legal Topics
Passing Off, Trade Mark Distinctiveness, Survey Evidence Admissibility
Intellectual Property Commercial Law Passing Off Trade Mark Distinctiveness Survey Evidence Admissibility

Case Brief

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Parties

Glaxo Wellcome UK Limited (T/A Allen & Hanburys)

Claimant

Glaxo Group Limited

Claimant

Sandoz Limited

Defendant

Sandoz International GmbH

Defendant

Aeropharm GmbH

Defendant

Hexal AG

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Passing Off / Interlocutory Application for Permission to Adduce Survey Evidence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether survey evidence on colour distinctiveness should be admitted in passing off proceedings
  2. 2 Whether the surveys are of real value and justify the cost
  3. 3 Whether the surveys are adequately documented and methodologically sound

Ratio Decidendi

The survey evidence is not so flawed or disproportionate in cost as to warrant exclusion at this stage; the evidence may be of real value to the court in assessing distinctiveness and should be admitted for trial.

Court Disposition

application allowed

Orders

  • Permission granted to claimants to adduce survey evidence in passing off proceedings
  • Parties to engage in further case management to clarify evidence and witnesses