Graevenitz, Georg von
(July 2007):
Which Reputations Does a Brand Owner Need? Evidence from Trade Mark Opposition.
SFB/TR 15 Discussion Paper No. 215
|
![[img]](https://epub.ub.uni-muenchen.de/13337/1.hassmallThumbnailVersion/215.pdf)  Preview |
|
374kB |
Abstract
At least two: the reputation of their brand and a reputation for being tough on imitators of this brand. Sustaining a brand requires both investment in its reputation amongst consumers and the defence of the brand against followers that infringe upon it. I study the defence of trade marks through opposition at a trade mark office. A structural model of opposition and adjudication of trade mark disputes is presented. This is applied to trade mark opposition in Europe. Results show that brand owners can benefit from a reputation for tough opposition to trade mark applications. Such a reputation induces applicants to settle trade mark opposition cases more readily.