The London Taxi Shape Is 'Not A Valid Trademark,' The Court Of Appeal Has Ruled
The London Taxi Company (now LEVC) has lost its appeal to overturn a ruling blocking it from trademarking the shape of its famous black cab.
The ruling, originally passed in 2016, says that the taxi ‘isn’t distinctive enough,’ but given that it’s an iconic shape known around the world and associated directly with London, we’re fairly sure the Court of Appeal has gone on a literal interpretation of shape rather than using common sense.
Deciding that the shape is not a valid registered trademark, the court’s decision means that other taxi makers, like Toyota, for example, can build their own vehicles that look more or less like the recently heavily updated black cab and sell them in British cities without fear of legal reprisals.
Mind you, the price of the new LEVC TX is so steep that it’s maybe not a bad thing that others can imitate it if they want to. Maybe someone can build one for a sensible price.
Source: Auto Express
Comments
Welcome to the 21st century!
Chinese manufacturers be like
So, now a CHINESE car company is trying to protect itself from copycats?
Copycats being copied, How humiliating?
F that. Pretty sure if the city can get a much cheaper alternative than the stupid new blackcab, theyll take it in a heartbeat and put LEVC out of business.
Chinese logic: Double standards!
One law for them, another for us.
Uhm what??
New York swapped crown vic for prius and camry, you’ll get a hell lot of prius soon guys (pretty much every where in Paris for 10 years or so)
This is a disgrace to the London LTDA black taxi drivers who serve so many Londoners but get such little respect. They study incredibly hard to complete the Knowledge test, it seems Uber drivers are more respected these days.
So, does this mean that Toyota can make a cab-looking thing based on the Prius and sell it to Uber drivers? :)
Now thats one great way to piss off cabbies😂