Through our watch service, we alerted our client that a similar application for “ABSOLUTE” was filed in Bahrain by a Swiss trader on 14 April 2015 under the number 1249326 and was published on 29 October 2015. So we filed an opposition against said application based on the following:

• Our client’s marks are well-known worldwide;
• Similarity between the infringed mark and the original marks in terms of pronunciation and spelling, and
• Prior registration and use of the mark ABSOLUT by our client in the home country and abroad.

The applicant of the opposed mark failed to respond to the opposition within the legal time frame as specified by Bahrain Trademark Law. Accordingly, the local Trademark Office considered the opposed mark as abandoned.

For more information, please contact bahrain@qumsieh.com.

Acting on behalf of our client, V&S Vin & Sprit Aktiebolag, the Swedish producer, we submitted an opposition against the above trademark application based on the following:

• Similarity to our client’s mark ABSOLUT registered in Morocco in classes 16, 35, 41, and 43 since January 2010;
• The mark “ABSOLUT” is registered in the country of origin (i.e. Sweden) since 1993, and
• Our client’s trademark is a well-known mark, and has a world-wide registration.

After full litigation, including the consideration of the above facts, the trademark Registrar issued his decision and accepted our position and refused the registration procedure of the pending application.

For more information regarding our practice in Morocco please contact morocco@qumsieh.com.