© Crown Copyright
esure Insurance Ltd v Direct Line Insurance Plc
(Lindsay J.): May 22–24 and June 29, 20071
[2008] R.P.C. 6
Trade mark—Application—Device mark of computer mouse on wheels for insurance and financial services—Opposition—Earlier device mark of telephone on wheels for insurance and financial services—Whether likelihood of confusion—Whether later mark took unfair advantage of or was detrimental to distinctive character or repute of later mark—Registration refused—Appeal to High Court—Whether threshold limit for similarity—Whether hearing officer correct in rejecting survey evidence—Whether sufficient other evidence to establish likelihood of association—Whether mere risk of unfair advantage or detriment sufficient—Whether errors of principle in hearing officer's assessment of the evidence—Blurring—Fettering—Tarnishing