Irish boyband Westlifehave lost a case in a European Union court against the owners of Germany's popular West cigarette brand who challenged the use of the group's name as a trademark.
While the four-member group can still use the name Westlife on merchandise, it cannot stop other people from using it.
In 2003, the EU's Community Trademark Office allowed the band to register Westlife as a trademark despite opposition from a German company, Reemark Gesellschaft fur Markenkooperation mbH, which said it was too similiar to its trademark West.
The EU's lower court, the Court of First Instance, found in favour of the German firm this morning and annulled the Westlifetrademark, saying the names were too alike and would confuse customers.
"The court finds that there is a likelihood of confusion between the two trademarks," the court judgement said. "The contested (EU Community Trademark Office) decision must be annulled." The boyband, signed to Sony BMG, can appeal the decision to the EU's top court.
Westlife, from Sligo and Dublin, have sold more than 30 million records worldwide in their five-year career.
Agencies
