Jean Mercier v Baume & Mercier

GoldLion Enterprise Singapore Pte Ltd, applied to register the mark "Jean Mercier" in Class 14 for "watches; clocks; tie clips; tie pins; buckles of precious metals; keychains; cufflinks; jewellery and costume jewellery; all included in Class 14". The application was opposed by Richemont International SA, Switzerland, in respect of their registered trade mark "Baume & Mercier" in Class 14 for "jewellery, articles not included in other classes made of precious metal or coated therewith, precious stones, clocks and watches", on the basis that the mark "Jean & Mercier" is confusingly similar to their registered trade mark.

Actually, the said mark has been assigned by Baume & Mercier SA to Richemont International SA with 15 other trade mark registrations in Class 14 for "Baume & Mercier" in various forms in Singapore. The opposition was not successful before the Principal Assistant Registrar of the Singapore Registry of Trade Marks. Richemont International SA appealed to the High