Skip to main content

The Bully’s Playbook

Understand the tactics used to pressure, overwhelm, or silence brands.

Any of the following situations or occurrences sound familiar? If so, you’re not imagining it - you may be experiencing trade mark bullying. Our Ethical Enforcement Programme or General Dispute Resolution Services may be exactly what you need.

Book a free consultation

Obvious Bullying Tactics

Unjustified threats

Unjustified threats

Accusations of violating trademark, copyright, or patent without a valid legal basis. The goal isn't protection, it's intimidation.

Aggressive cease & desist

Aggressive cease & desist

Demanding you stop an action with threatening language, short deadlines, and unreasonable undertakings.

Frivolous oppositions

Frivolous oppositions

Meritless actions used purely to force costly legal battles and exhaust your resources.

Injunctions or proceedings filed in foreign tribunals

Injunctions or proceedings filed in foreign tribunals

Turning minor disagreements into full- blown, expensive court cases to exploit financial imbalance.

Unnecessary escalation

Unnecessary escalation

Turning minor disagreements into full- blown, expensive court cases to exploit financial imbalance.

Hopeless appeals

Hopeless appeals

Filing appeals with no chance of success just to prolong the battle and drain your budget.

Trade mark hijacking

Trade mark hijacking

Registering your brand name in a country where you haven't yet, then demanding payment.

Domain name hijacking or tenuous domain complaints

Domain name hijacking or tenuous domain complaints

Registering your brand name in a country where you haven't yet, then demanding payment.

Social media takedowns to silence your presence

Social media takedowns to silence your presence

Filing appeals with no chance of success just to prolong the battle and drain your budget.

Find out where you stand

Strategic bullying tactics

This occurs when someone registers a trade mark for a non-distinctive, descriptive, or generic word or phrase that should remain available for everyone to use - for example, attempting to trade mark the word “fresh” for fruit. These registrations are not about protecting a unique brand; they’re intended to prevent competitors from using ordinary, everyday terms to describe their goods or services.
This occurs when someone registers a trade mark for a non-distinctive, descriptive, or generic word or phrase that should remain available for everyone to use - for example, attempting to trade mark the word “fresh” for fruit. These registrations are not about protecting a unique brand; they’re intended to prevent competitors from using ordinary, everyday terms to describe their goods or services.
This occurs when someone registers a trade mark for a non-distinctive, descriptive, or generic word or phrase that should remain available for everyone to use - for example, attempting to trade mark the word “fresh” for fruit. These registrations are not about protecting a unique brand; they’re intended to prevent competitors from using ordinary, everyday terms to describe their goods or services.
This occurs when someone registers a trade mark for a non-distinctive, descriptive, or generic word or phrase that should remain available for everyone to use - for example, attempting to trade mark the word “fresh” for fruit. These registrations are not about protecting a unique brand; they’re intended to prevent competitors from using ordinary, everyday terms to describe their goods or services.
This occurs when someone registers a trade mark for a non-distinctive, descriptive, or generic word or phrase that should remain available for everyone to use - for example, attempting to trade mark the word “fresh” for fruit. These registrations are not about protecting a unique brand; they’re intended to prevent competitors from using ordinary, everyday terms to describe their goods or services.
This occurs when someone registers a trade mark for a non-distinctive, descriptive, or generic word or phrase that should remain available for everyone to use - for example, attempting to trade mark the word “fresh” for fruit. These registrations are not about protecting a unique brand; they’re intended to prevent competitors from using ordinary, everyday terms to describe their goods or services.
Get advice on your situation

Testimonials

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

Trustpilot

We’re here to help you take
control of the situation.

Get confidential, expert-led guidance from our regulated team of
Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys.