NIKE INVASION OF THE HACKNEY EMPIRE ENDS

The IPKat has learnt that Hackney Council has settled its trade mark infringement case against Nike for a six-figure sum. Hackney is a borough in London. Nike used the council’s logo and name on a range of sporting goods which sought to capitalise on the association between Nike and Hackney Marshes following Nike’s ‘Parklife’ advertising campaign during the 1990s. The council has said that it will invest the £300K settlement in sporting facilities for young people.

The IPKat reckons that entities other than the council may have legitimate reasons for using the name Hackney, but it would be taking the argument a bit far to say that they would need to use the council’s logo on their goods (though they might need to use it ‘editorially’ to criticise/praise the council).

View the press release here.