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ARTICLE · 05 APRIL 2021

Canadian Courts Confirm Narrow Protection Afforded To Acronym Marks

Smart & Biggar
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Two recent decisions of the Federal Court reinforce the narrow scope of protection afforded acronym marks in Canada.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Smart & Biggar
Smart & Biggar
Tamara Winegust
Tamara Winegust
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Two recent decisions of the Federal Court reinforce the narrow scope of protection afforded acronym marks in Canada.

One decision, of the Federal Court of Appeal in Loblaws Inc. v. Columbia Insurance Company, (2021 FCA 29), involved two companies using the "PC" acronym with kitchenware. The Plaintiff, Loblaws Inc., has sold food and grocery items as well as kitchenware in association with its "PRESIDENT'S CHOICE" and "PC" trademarks since the 1980's. The Defendant, The Pampered Chef, manufactures and sells kitchenware products. In 2015, it updated its branding to include its corporate name "PAMPERED CHEF", as well as the letters "PC" in a design configuration  (shown below):

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