[EXCLUSIVE] KG Mobility’s ongoing trademark dispute takes legal turn in Turkey

[exclusive] Kg Mobility's Ongoing Trademark Dispute Takes Legal Turn In Turkey

A KG Mobility's dealership in Istanbul / Courtesy of KG Mobility

A KG Mobility’s dealership in Istanbul / Courtesy of KG Mobility

Carmaker nonetheless struggles to acquire rights to make use of its title
By Park Jae-hyuk

The extended dispute over the best to make use of KG Mobility’s title has been taken to courtroom in Turkey regardless of the Korean carmaker’s confidence in reaching an amicable settlement with Turkish trademark troll Cihan Turan.

Based on the Turkish Patent and Trademark Workplace, Sunday, the nation’s courtroom accepted a request final month to quickly limit Turan’s possession of the „KG Mobility“ trademark.

Consequently, he has been barred from transferring his trademark rights to 3rd events, although he can nonetheless enchantment the courtroom’s determination.

„The conclusion of a trademark invalidation lawsuit can take two to 4 years and might trigger critical bills and lack of time,“ a supply conversant in this subject informed The Korea Occasions.

„It could not be a mistaken assumption to say that the plaintiff is KG Mobility,“ the supply added.

A KG Mobility spokesperson was unavailable for touch upon this subject as of Sunday, as he was unaware of the litigation.

„I’ll ask our authorized affairs division about this subject subsequent week,“ he mentioned Friday.

In 2023, Turan registered the „KG Mobility“ trademark in Turkey and the European Union (EU).

His registrations have been made earlier than the functions from the Korean firm, which changed its name from SsangYong Motor in 2023 following KG Group’s acquisition of the debt-ridden carmaker in 2022.

Provided that the Korean Mental Property Workplace (KIPO) prioritized Turan’s functions primarily based on the Paris Conference, the Korean carmaker, KG Mobility, is going through difficulties in acquiring rights to make use of its English and Korean names, even in its dwelling territory.

In Europe, KG Mobility’s negotiations with Turan are additionally underway.

Earlier this yr, the corporate requested the EU Mental Property Workplace to permit a further two-month interval to speak with him.

„Contemplating that Korea, Europe and Turkey are vital markets for KG Mobility, the truth that the dispute continues to be unresolved and can seemingly drag on for years may have critical damaging results,“ the supply mentioned.

The logo for the Turkish government-run General Directorate of Highways is seen on its website. Screenshot from Turkish General Directorate of Highways' website

The brand for the Turkish government-run Basic Directorate of Highways is seen on its web site. Screenshot from Turkish Basic Directorate of Highways‘ web site

KG Mobility was reportedly requested by Turan to pay a major quantity in royalties.

Though the corporate determined in November 2023 to make use of „KGM“ as a substitute for its full title, the three-letter acronym was rejected in Turkey as a consequence of its use by the nation’s government-run Basic Directorate of Highways, referred to as Karayollari Genel Mudurlugu in Turkish.

In Korea, KG Mobility managed to win the rights to the „KGM“ trademark, because the KIPO accepted the corporate’s declare final yr that there isn’t a similarity between the acronym and different manufacturers.

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