Pet store to keep name after Hugo Boss row

The owner of a Liverpool pet supplies business has reached an agreement with fashion company Hugo Boss after a trademark row over the store's name.

Ben McDonald, from Bootle, said his "whole world caved in" when he received a legal letter from the fashion giant demanding he stop using the word Boss in the name for his online retail business, Boss Pets.

He has now reached an agreement with Hugo Boss allowing him to continue using the name, as long as he does not start creating pet clothing or accessories.

The fashion company said it had to "take measures to protect our existing trademark rights" and "brand rights globally".

Mr McDonald said he had done his "due diligence" before choosing his business name, which he chose to give the store a "bit of a scouse humour kick to it".

He told the BBC: "I was getting all these things made for [the business] and I was thinking: is it all going to be going straight in the wheelie bin?"

A statement from Hugo Boss said: "We are aware that the English word "boss" is one that is commonly used.

"Nevertheless, it's our responsibility to monitor and protect our brand rights globally and address unclear cases where needed."

It added: "As an international fashion company, we need to – like any other corporation – take measures to protect our existing trademark rights."

Mr McDonald said he was grateful to have had access to a Liverpool-based intellectual property lawyer Francis McEntagart from MC Legal.

He said without that support he would "have been one of those little companies that gets bullied and had to change the name".

"So hopefully entrepreneurs and people starting out might take some positivity from this."

Mr McEntagart said it was common for small brands to choose not to fight big companies over these kind of disputes.

"It happens unfortunately too often, whether they can't get access to a lawyer or they feel it's going to be overly expensive in dealing with it," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"But if you've spent considerable time and effort and money in building up your brand, even if it's at an early stage, I think it's worth certainly seeking out somebody to just get their advice."

He said his client was relieved the ordeal was over.

"He's now free to go and carry on with his work and he doesn't have to fear for any sort of knock on the door saying 'you can't use that name'," Mr McEntagart said.

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