Apple halts wheelchair firm ‘Beatle’ bid

A BID to trademark the word “Beatle” for use on electric wheelchairs has been blocked by EU judges.

They ruled there was a risk of confusion with a well-known pop group

Dutch company You-Q currently promotes the Beatle electric wheelchair on its website.

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But yesterday’s ruling from the European Court of Justice backed the EU trademark office in refusing to allow the term to be trademarked for wheelchairs.

The verdict is a victory for Apple Corps, the Beatles’ company, which challenged the bid by You-Q.

Even without confusion between the musical works and merchandise of the Beatles, and the Beatle wheelchair, a product using the group’s name would benefit unfairly from the association, the judges pointed out.

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