Company gives up trademark on cariad, hiraeth and Welsh cakes
A company from Bridgend has given up their trademark on the words cariad, hiraeth and Welsh cake.
The words were trademarked by the company Fizzy Foam after an application to the Intellectual Property Office.
The decision to allow the registration of the common Welsh language cariad (love) and hiraeth (longing) in particular had been criticised.
A petition set up in opposition to trademarking common Welsh words had been signed over 6,000 times.
Amanda James who had set up the petition said that she had been informed that the company had surrendered the trademarks.
“Thanks to everyone who signed the petition and who extended any help,” she said.
“Despite that, it’s very interesting that it was legal to do such a thing in the first place.”
‘Shocked’
The decision that came to light in June had prompted a backlash online, with concern that the Welsh language would be bought up and others stopped from using words.
Reacting on social media, Efan ap Ifor said that the move was “outrageous”. He added that “both the Intellectual Property Office and Fizzy foam have made a major error here.
“These words belong to everyone in Wales and no one has the right to attempt to possess them as property.”
Mart Verallo John said that the decision was “disgusting”.
“Genuinely shocked the Intellectual Property Office have approved this. The Welsh language belongs to its people, it’s not for businesses to own, trademark, commodify and restrict our culture and heritage out of greed.”
Tracey Jones added: “Good grief. How can they be allowed to trademark words?? I wouldn’t buy from this company on principle.”
Morgan Lloyd said: “Money can’t buy you love, but it can trademark it in Welsh so its use is restricted if you want to put it on a candle.”
The revelation that the words had been trademarked angered Welsh speakers who feared that it could restrict the use of everyday words.
At the time, the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office said that they had contacted the Intellectual Property Office to investigate what had happened.
They said: “We are following this situation and are taking advice about whether we can take any further steps.”
They later told Nation.Cymru: “We have contacted the Intellectual Property Office to ask for a response to the situation. We are going to wait for a response from them before taking any further steps.”
‘No bar’
An expert on intellectual property, who spoke to Nation.Cymru, however said that they thought people had over-reacted to the news.
Speaking anonymously they told us that they thought that people had misunderstood how trademarks function or are registered, and pointed to the UK Government’s rules on the matter.
They pointed out that the word ‘cariad’ among others had been trademarked before, and that a list of trademarked words was publicly available
“All trademarks have to specify which classes of goods and services they are registered in – there is no blanket registration that would bar every other person from using a trademark,” they said.
They said that the word Polo was a good example, as it had been trademarked in the context of “cars, shirts and mints”.
However, a lawyer who specialises in intellectual property has declared himself “amazed” after learning of the decision.
Jonty Gordon the director of Cwmni Amgen Law said that attempts to copyright such common words in English, particularly ‘love’, had been rejected.
He added that the decision would cause “sleepless nights” for other companies in Wales.
“It really amazes me that they got this permission – that it’s registered,” Jonty Gordon told the BBC.
“The Intellectual Property Office has been very strict on registering Welsh words on common goods such as candles, and in this context a fairly common word as well.
“There’s a famous case of the word ‘love’ where it has been rejected many times on all kinds of goods or services and when I’ve advised on registrations like that I’ve referred to that case and the Intellectual Property Office always refers to it as well and rejects any similar word.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Goal!!!!!
The Intellectual Property Office. Found wanting on intellect then told that it cannot corner Welsh words and make them the property of a few. That leaves office. Office for what?
Common sense prevails
Read the whole article. Words such as “love” are rejected in English so why not in Welsh? It’s different for “Boots”, “Polo”, etc. when they are product area specific, but not such generic words such as “love”.
All trademarks are “product area specific” and they essentially protect a logo. It would be outrageous if Welsh businesses using Welsh words in their distinguishing logos could not avail themselves of the same protections from which logos using English words can benefit.
I strongly recommend to anyone interested in facts rather than unfounded fears checks out what exactly a trademark is. It cannot extend to ownership of a word, as has widely been suggested in NC articles and comments.
There is incidentally a public register of UK trademarks which anyone can search online. There are plenty a registrations of logos using the single word “Love”.
Yes I remember the absolute rubbish spoiled by the “expert on intellectual property”. Did anyone ever check his claimed credentials?
Glad the company has now done the right thing. By all means use the words on your products, but don’t try to claim them as your own
I looked in to this a few days ago – they genuinely had managed to trade mark the word “cariad” when used for candles/wax melts etc. This was not a logo, or a particular design of the word, but the actual word. I honestly couldn’t believe it. Have a look at the trade mark register yourselves. In the same way the WRU have trademarked words and phrases like “Wru” “welsh rugby” and “welsh rugby Union” they have also trademarked their 3 feathers logo.
More free advertising…