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ARTICLE · 08 OCTOBER 2021

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Not a Tango dance, but a cocoa and chocolate trade mark dispute

Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers
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This dispute was a successful opposition proceeding against the Singapore trademark application for "OT TANGO".

AustraliaIntellectual Property
Yu Ann Ang
Yu Ann Ang
Amy Chan
Amy Chan
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This article looks at the recent decision by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) in the Matter of a Trade Mark Application by Hardwood Pte Ltd and subsequent Opposition by GCIH Trademarks Limited [2021] SGIPOS 6.

Background

This case involves an opposition proceeding commenced by GCIH Trademarks Limited (the "Opponent") against Singapore trademark application for "OT TANGO" in Class 30 filed by Hardwood Pte Ltd.

The Opponent is in the food production business and holds trademark registrations in numerous countries around the world, including Singapore, for a range of "TANGO" word and composite marks which are used in relation to chocolates and confectionary since 1991. Meanwhile, the Applicant is part of the Orang Tua Group ("OT Group") based in Indonesia and producing a range of daily necessities including food and beverages. The applicant claimed that their "OT TANGO" trademark was initially launched as a brand of wafer in Indonesia in 1994

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