04 l November 2013
www.psneurope.com news UNITED KINGDOM/CHINA Battle won for Funktion-One
Hope for brands with trademark disputes as loudspeaker maker wins exhaustive fight with Chinese vendor
By Dave Robinson
AFTER A lengthy, costly and complex dispute, loudspeaker manufacturer Funktion-One has finally won an important trademark case relating to the use of its name and company logo in China. The case follows the pre-
emptive registration of the Funktion-One name and logo by Wu Meiling in March 2005.
UNITED KINGDOM 2013 APRS Sound Fellows announced By Erica Basnicki
HOSTED BY Sir George and Lady Martin, the seventh annual APRS Sound Fellowship Awards Lunch will take place at the Roof Gardens, Kensington on Tuesday 19 November. APRS Sound Fellows are
recognised for their ‘significant contribution to the art, science or business of sound recording’.
This year’s recipients include songwriter Jeff Beck, former Livingston Studios owner Jerry Boys, EMI and Chrysalis A&R man Chris Briggs, AMS Neve founder Mark Crabtree, Lansdowne and CTS Studios owner Adrian Kerridge, legendary recording engineer Phil Ramone and producer/ composer Nile Rodgers.
Giving the keynote address by
way of proposing the Harewood Toast this year – named after Earl of Harewood, the founding president of the APRS – is Fran Nevrkla, OBE and chairman of PPL. Platinum sponsors for this
year’s industry lunch include RØDE, API and Universal Audio, who are joining the group for the first time. Focusrite will
once again take up its spot as wine sponsor for the seventh year running. Tickets for the lunch can be
booked on the APRS website or via email:
admin@aprs.co.uk or phone APRS head office on +44 (0)1803 868600. Special discounts are available for APRS and other trade body members.
www.aprs.co.uk
Fran Nevrkla will propose this year’s Harewood Toast
The People’s Republic of
Smiles all round: Tony and Ann Andrews, (pictured at the Pro Sound Awards), have just won their lengthy dispute with a disreputable Chinese merchant
The British company, under representation from Wilkinson & Grist, challenged the move and
won – vindicating the time, costs and resources that have been absorbed by the long process.
China’s trademark law prohibits pre-emptive registration of a trademark that is already in use by another person, in respect of identical or similar goods that have gained a certain level of influence in the country. Funktion-One’s case focused on the international reputation it has grown since it was formed by John Newsham and Tony Andrews in 1992 and its prominence in China. Funktion-One’s evidence included its participation in international and local exhibitions, features in international and local trade magazines (including PSNEurope) and records of the professional awards that the company has won. Specific
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correspondences from Chinese companies expressing strong interest in doing business with Funktion-One added to the compelling argument. Following the successful opposition of Wu’s mark, Funktion-One also succeeded in securing registration of its own Funktion-One mark in China. Reflecting on the triumph, Funktion-One’s Ann Andrews said: “It’s a huge relief.” “China is a very important
market for us. Obviously, we’d prefer not to face threats to our trademarks and copyrights, but we fought and won, so we’re very pleased about that. Our representatives, Wilkinson & Grist, have been brilliant, professional and diligent throughout. As have the trade press, PLASA and Prolight + Sound. We’d like to thank them for their support. “Hopefully this sends out a positive message to the industry.”
www.funktion-one.com
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