Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 04:30 am
After a six-month legal battle, specialist food and drinks marketing company, Brand Relations has emerged victorious in a trademark battle with The London Cocktail Club (LCC). After an out-of-court agreement, LCC agreed to withdraw its trademark in three crucial categories (32, 33, 21) which gave them the option to trade in Ready to Drink (RTD) drinks under their name.
The trademark dispute began when Brand Relations CEO, Richard Horwell, discovered his former partner had dissolved the company they had created together. After re-purchasing the trademark for London Cocktail from The Treasury, Richard found LCC had registered it in the three categories.
LCC had the backing of chef Raymond Blanc and Dragon’s Den judge, Sarah Willingham, who is an investor in Craft Gin Club, one of the largest alcohol delivery companies in the UK. But Richard managed to secure the trademark for Brand Relations, allowing them to trade in the same categories under their company name.
Richard said the timing was perfect for the brand, with the market for RTD cocktails set to explode due to the hospitality industry struggling to find staff: “It’s very satisfying when the little guy wins but I have always believed that this brand will become one of the biggest RTD cocktail brands in the world. It’s an iconic brand, known and recognised across the globe and I am delighted to have it back.”
The trademark dispute began a decade ago, with Brand Relations now emerging triumphant in the year of the King’s Coronation. Richard Horwell commented: “I launched the company during the year of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond jubilee. It all started during a Royal celebration and it has now ended with a Royal celebration.”
Richard Horwell, CEO of Brand Relations, has announced victory in a David v Goliath trademark battle with The London Cocktail Club (LCC). After an out-of-court agreement, LCC agreed to withdraw its trademark in three crucial categories (32, 33, 21) which gave them the option to trade in Ready to Drink (RTD) drinks under their name.
The dispute began 10 years ago when Richard discovered his former partner had dissolved the company they had created together, leaving LCC with the registered trademark in the three categories. Despite being up against a major player in the drinks industry, which had the backing of chef Raymond Blanc and Dragon’s Den judge, Sarah Willingham, Richard managed to secure the trademark for Brand Relations.
Commenting on the win, Richard said the timing was perfect for the brand: “It’s very satisfying when the little guy wins but I have always believed that this brand will become one of the biggest RTD cocktail brands in the world. It’s an iconic brand, known and recognised across the globe and I am delighted to have it back.”
He further noted the significance of the resolution coinciding with the King’s Coronation: “I launched the company during the year of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond jubilee. It all started during a Royal celebration and it has now ended with a Royal celebration.”
Brand Relations, a specialist food and drinks marketing company, has emerged victorious in a decade-long trademark battle against The London Cocktail Club (LCC). After an out-of-court agreement, LCC agreed to withdraw its trademark in three crucial categories (32, 33, 21) which gave them the option to trade in Ready to Drink (RTD) drinks under their name.
CEO of Brand Relations, Richard Horwell, was able to secure the trademark for his company, allowing them to trade in the same categories under their company name. Richard said the win was “very satisfying” and expressed his belief that London Cocktail will become “one of the biggest RTD cocktail brands in the world.”
Commenting on the significance of the resolution coinciding with the King’s Coronation, Richard said: “It all started during a Royal celebration and it has now ended with a Royal celebration.” He added that the market for RTD cocktails is set to explode as the hospitality industry struggles to find staff to make high quality cocktails on site.
