TCD takes legal action over Dublin language school’s use of ‘Trinity’ name

Trinity College Dublin

has initiated a

High Court

action against a Dublin English-language school for using the word “Trinity” in its brand name.

The college is seeking an injunction against Trinity English School, which is located adjacent to its campus, claiming that the use of the trademark "Trinity" infringes the college's intellectual property rights.

The action was initiated on February 6th. In recent days most references to “Trinity English School” have been replaced by “The English School” on the school’s website.

A Twitter account under the name “Trinity English School” carries a link to trinityenglishschooldublin.com, which automatically redirects to theenglishschooldublin.com

The defendant is listed as Derren Hogarty, who Companies Office records show is a director of the firm Learn English in Dublin.

The English School is based on South Frederick Street, near Trinity College’s Nassau Street entrance.

Its website says the school’s maximum class size is five students, a selling point it says distinguishes it from similar institutions. Calls to a phone number on its website were not returned.

In a statement, Trinity College, which is represented by Mason Hayes & Curran solicitors, said it became aware that an English language school in Dublin city centre had been advertising itself as Trinity English School.

Sole owner

“As the college is the sole owner of the registered trademark ‘Trinity’ in

Ireland

for the provision of educational services, this is an infringement of the college’s intellectual property rights,” it said.

The college said it had made several attempts to contact the school’s owner to bring the issue to an amicable resolution but had received no response.

“College therefore had no choice other than to issue trademark infringement proceedings in order to protect its name, reputation and to avoid confusion among members of the public.”