Courts / Ireland / Report

Irish Times launches High Court proceedings against UK's Times Newspapers over alleged title of new digital paper

Date
2015-05-20
Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

In May 2015 the Irish Times Ltd filed High Court proceedings against Times Newspapers Ltd, alleging that the UK publisher intended to launch a new online newspaper titled 'The Times Ireland'. The Irish Times claimed that using this title would breach its trade mark and copyright, creating a risk of confusion with its own publication. Jonathan Newman SC represented the Irish Times, arguing that the proposed use was a serious violation of copyright and that the new digital edition, part of a seven‑day subscription with 'The Sunday Times', would cause "enormous problems" for the Irish Times, whose online readership reaches six million monthly. The court granted the Irish Times permission to serve short notice of the proceedings, and the case was set to return later that month. The Irish Times seeks orders preventing the use of the title, domain names, Twitter descriptions, and logos similar to its own, but no undertakings have yet been received from the defendants.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Irish Times launches High Court proceedings against UK's Times Newspapers over alleged title of new digital paper. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: Today Jonathan Newman SC, for the Irish Times Ltd, said his client has brought proceedings because the "potential for confusion is enormous". CNI source report

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report

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