Brompton Wins Intellectual Property Case

There is only once source of Bromptons, and that's Brentford

Brompton Bicycle Ltd, the London-based manufacturer, has recently won another legal victory in its ongoing fight against manufacturers of bicycles that imitate the design and style of the Brompton bicycle.

Brompton Bicycle Ltd has obtained a landmark ruling that confirms the intellectual property rights in respect of its well-known BROMPTON bicycle.

Commercial Court No. 5 of Madrid has decided that the "OXFORD" bicycle, manufactured by Grace Gallant in Taiwan and marketed under several trademarks, constitutes an infringement of the intellectual property rights of Brompton Bicycle Ltd.

As a consequence thereof, the Court ordered an injunction of the importation, distribution and sale of the bicycles that infringed Brompton Bicycle Ltd's intellectual property rights. This judgment is final, as agreed by both parties. The Judgment is consistent with the decisions in other countries, notably Belgium and the Netherlands, where Brompton Bicycle Ltd has won similar rulings in respect of its IP rights.

This victory means that the company's intellectual property has now been firmly established in three distinct jurisdictions, under different legal systems; in each case, the manufacturer behind the offending articles has been the same, though the brands/trademarks under which they have been distributed (Scoop, Flamingo, Nishiki, Oxford, etc.) has varied.

This legal success again underlines Brompton's determination to safeguard the Brompton reputation and brand, which have been carefully built up over 35 years and which ensure the employment of over 100 people in West London, not to mention the opportunities created among dealers and distributors.

Emerson Roberts, Brompton’s Sales and Marketing Director, commented:
“We have always welcomed fair competition which advances the cause of cycling but these imitations merely borrow from years of hard work and innovation, adding nothing of value to the market, and confusing our customers.”

June 30, 2010