The VW subsidiary Bentley is no longer allowed to sell their clothes in the UK under their name. A London court issued a lawsuit on Friday by family-owned company Bentley Clothing, which had sued the automaker for a naming rights violation. In addition, the manufacturer may now offer only jackets, silk ties, caps and scarves, but no other clothing. The well-known winged logo may no longer be used on clothing in conjunction with the name.
Manchester Bentley Clothing had the name Bentley trademarked in 1982. The legal dispute with the VW subsidiary had begun in 1998.
Judge Richard Hacon criticized a permanent interference with the rights of the family business. The car maker had tried to cancel the trademark rights of the clothing company.
"It was ruinous"
Bentley Clothing boss Chris Lees welcomed the verdict. "It was ruinous, financially and emotionally, and today's decision is a great relief." According to his lawyers might now be on the car manufacturer compensation claims. In addition, the VW subsidiary must hand over or destroy all garments that violate the naming rights.
Bentley Motors was disappointed and is considering appealing the decision. "We've been selling clothes in the UK for more than 30 years, and at no point has there been any evidence of confusion with the trademark of another company," a spokesperson said on request. He emphasized that the sentence was only in Britain
