Dispute Over A ‘K'

Introduction

Abbreviation usage for brand names during the course of business or trade is a common practice. The abbreviated brand names are considered rather simplistic and are more famous than their original names itself. It goes without saying that IIT, IIM, IRCTC, IPL or BCCI are known for these acronyms and one would have the toughest time giving their full forms. For a word/term to qualify for protection as a trademark, it should not be a common term related to the trade or be descriptive of the nature or kind of goods and services provided. To its contrary, an abbreviation is considered as both descriptive and non-distinctive as the full forms are usually common to the trade it is related to.