The applicant disagreed with the opinion of the Office and pointed out that the word PAKI is used to denote South Asian foodstuffs and by now its meaning has become acceptable, so that the Office should take into account the opinions of all the consumers.
The Board of Appeal did not grant the complaint filed by the applicant and found that the word PAKI may be perceived as racist among the English-speaking population. The Board is of the view that the mark PAKI is a derogatory and offensive name for people originating from Pakistan or Peninsular India and currently residing in Great Britain. The UK Government also supported these views.
Despite the fact that PAKI Logistics GmbH failed to register the mark PAKI as a Community trademark, the same word mark has been granted protection in a number of other countries, such as Germany, Norway and Russia.
Source: Globe Business Publishing Ltd |
