IP Cyprus is pleased to announce a successful opposition against the registration of the Cyprus trademark “SKYR.” This victory comes as a result of our diligent efforts to protect the interests of our clients, who hold the earlier WIPO mark “ISEY SKYR.”
Background
Our clients, who own the “ISEY SKYR” trademark, approached IP Cyprus to oppose the registration of a similar trademark, “SKYR,” in Cyprus. The “ISEY SKYR” brand is internationally recognized for its premium dairy products, particularly skyr, a type of Icelandic yogurt that has gained global popularity.
Grounds for Opposition
The opposition was filed on the basis of the following key arguments:
Likelihood of Confusion: We argued that the proposed “SKYR” mark would likely cause confusion among consumers due to its strong resemblance to our client’s “ISEY SKYR” mark. The similarity in the marks could mislead consumers into believing that the two brands are related or originate from the same company.
Reputation and Distinctiveness: The “ISEY SKYR” mark has acquired a significant reputation and distinctiveness in the market, particularly in the dairy sector. Allowing the “SKYR” mark to be registered would dilute the distinctive character of the “ISEY SKYR” brand, potentially harming its established reputation.
Prior Rights: Our clients hold prior rights to the “ISEY SKYR” mark under the WIPO system. These rights take precedence over the newly filed “SKYR” mark in Cyprus, supporting our opposition.
Decision
After thorough examination and consideration of the evidence presented, the Cyprus Trademark Office ruled in favor of our clients, upholding the opposition against the registration of the “SKYR” mark. The decision acknowledged the likelihood of confusion and the potential impact on the reputation and distinctiveness of the “ISEY SKYR” brand.
Conclusion
This successful opposition highlights the importance of safeguarding brand identity and intellectual property rights. IP Cyprus remains committed to providing expert legal support to our clients, ensuring that their trademarks are protected against infringement and confusion.
If you have any questions about trademark protection or need assistance with a similar case, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support your business in navigating the complexities of intellectual property law.
