Barclays Sues UK Debt Collector Over Name Similarity

Published on:
25 August 2011 at 07:22 a.m. ET

http://www.insidearm.com/news/00019896-barclays-sues-uk-debt-collector-over-name/

British banking Giant Barclays has filed a trademark suit against London-based Barclays Recovery Service, a collection agency the bank says has no affiliation with the larger firm.

“The legal proceedings seek to stop Barclays Recovery Services Ltd. from infringing the bank’s trademarks and engaging in conduct that is misleading,” Barclays said in a statement. “Barclays values its reputation with its customers and the general public and will always act to protect its name.”

The suit was filed August 22 in London.

UK intellectual property laws allow companies to protect their names under trademark. Infringement may occur when a logo or name can be confused with a registered trademark, or where it takes advantage of another company’s reputation, according to Bloomberg.