London Taxi Shape Doesn’t Function as Maker’s Trademark

The London Taxi Corp. can’t claim exclusive rights in the familiar shape of London’s black cabs, a U.K. appeals court ruled Nov. 1.

The England and Wales Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court’s ruling that U.K. and EU trademark registrations granting trademark rights in the vehicle shape were invalid (London Taxi Corp. Ltd. v. Frazer-Nash Research Ltd., EWCA (Civ) (U.K.), No. A3/2016/0867, 11/1/17). The shape of the vehicle doesn’t indicate to consumers the identity of the manufacturer, the court said.

Competing taxicab makers will be able to sell black cabs with similar shapes under the ruling. ...