Member Article

Darlington based Burnt Zebra rebrands after trademark infringement

Creative and tech related entrepenurship is becoming increasingly popular in the North East of England. Organisations such as Ignite100 and Search Camp are pushing their growth accelerator programs to new limits and helping to establish and develop a wide range of companies. With these kind of programs happening in the area we are really starting to breed a new generation of entrepenurial spirit and it’s no wonder that more and more companies are popping in within the sector.

One of the newest companies to have formed in the region is Burnt Zebra Digital Limited, a digital growth agency who help clients in a wide range of sectors achieve their online marketing ambitions. Unfortunately for them, their quirky name rapidbly become known around Newcastle and Middlesbrough and landed them in the hands of a potential law suit from a rival firm.

Newcastle’s Zebra Internet Services (who we’ve covered several times) secured a trademark for the word “ZEBRA” and were less than impressed with Burnt Zebra, who not only viable for a class 1 trademark infrigement but were based several miles down the road in Darlington.

After some negotiations Burnt Zebra opted to rebrand their company as STRIPE4.

“At first we we’re quite shocked to have received the initial email from Zebra Internet Services,” explains STRIPE4’s Director, Shaun Hogg. “But after internal discussions and a brief back and forth with the other party we decided it would be best all round to rebrand our company.”

Having undergone a the rebranding, STRIPE4 are keen to inform the public that the company remains completely operational and will continue to provide the same range of services it always has.

“The rebranding was purely cosmetic,” said Shaun. “There have been no internal changes, nor will there be any changes with regards to the services we provide.”

What Is Trademark Infringment?

If you use an identical or similar trade mark for identical or similar goods and services to a registered trade mark - you may be infringing the registered mark if your use creates a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public. This includes the case where because of the similarities between the marks the public are led to the mistaken belief that the trade marks, although different, identify the goods or services of one and the same trader.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrew Clark .