Lacoste emblem appeal fails

French fashion label Lacoste has lost a second legal challenge against a British dental practice whose logo was claimed to be too similar to the brand’s iconic crocodile emblem.



The clothing giant argued that the green crocodile logo registered by Gloucestershire-based The Dental Practice in autumn 2004 could be confused with its own logo symbolising its range of sunglasses, leather bags, sports and casual clothing.



The first hearing took place in May last year at the Intellectual Property Office in Newport, where the judge ruled that the services the two companies offered are too dissimilar to cause misunderstanding among consumers.



But Lacoste appealed against the ruling and the case was put to the UK Intellectual Property Office in London late in 2007.



However, the judge, Professor Ruth Annand, rejected the second appeal – again on the grounds that confusion between the two companies and what they stand for is highly unlikely.



Lacoste was ordered to pay £1450 in costs towards both hearings.



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