SEPTEMBER 18, 2003

McLaren sponsors quibbling

Hugo Boss and Reemtsma, the owner of the West cigarette brand, have been quibbling over the use of cigarette brands.

Hugo Boss and Reemtsma, the owner of the West cigarette brand, have been quibbling over the use of cigarette brands. Hugo Boss AG registered trademarks for Boss and Hugo Boss cigarettes and cigars in 1974 and 1987 respectively but has never actually done anything more than produce a few cigars for a cigar-sampling function.

Trademarks in some countries can be removed from the register if they had not been used for five years after they were registered and the case has come to court in Singapore with the result that Boss has now lost its tobacco trademarks.

The implication is that Reemtsma might now be planning to produce Boss-branded cigarettes or cigars.