Home textile manufacturer and BSE-listed Welspun India Ltd has opposed Chinese company Kunrong Que’s registration for ‘WELHOME’ in the United States Patent and Trademark Office before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The Indian company, part of the $3-billion Welspun Group, has argued that it has priority by virtue of its applications for ‘WELHOME’ in July 2016.
According to a notice of opposition, Welspun India believes that it will be damaged by the registration of Kunrong Que’s U.S. Application No. 87542803 for the mark WELHOME for items like dresses, T-shirts, sleepwear, etc.
Around 16% of the company’s revenue is contributed by its own brands such Welhome, Christy, Spaces, and Tilt.
Welspun, which in the US alone is a leading supplier to 13 of the top 30 retailers, has said it owns Application Serial No. 87090919 filed on July 1, 2016 for WELHOME for items like bed blankets, bed linen and towels etc., and Application Serial No. 87090935 filed on July 1, 2016 for WELHOME for area rugs, etc.
Welspun India confirmed to DNA Money that it has opposed this registration and said that WELHOME is one of the key brands for the company, highlighting its importance. China’s Kunrong Que, however, could not be reached for a comment.
“Applicant’s (Kunrong Que) WELHOME mark is identical to Welspun’s earlier-filed WELHOME mark, and the goods covered by Welspun’s earlier-filed applications and Applicant’s Application No. 87542803 are closely related, such that consumers will likely be confused, mistaken,” said the Welspun opposition document.
Overseas Row
- Welspun India has argued that it has priority by virtue of its applications for ‘WELHOME’ in July 2016
- It said it will be damaged by the registration of Kunrong Que’s US Application for the mark WELHOME
