Westlife lose trademark challenge at EU court

Irish boyband Westlife lost a case in a European Union court today against the owners of Germany’s popular West cigarette brand who challenged the use of the group’s name as a trademark.

The European Court of First Instance annulled the registration of the name Westlife at the EU’s trademark office saying it was too similar to the German trademark of West.

Reemark Gesellschaft fuer Markenkooperation GmbH claimed use of the Westlife name on clothing and other merchandise could cause confusion with its trademarks.

Westlife has released a record 12 No. 1 singles in Britain and sold more than 30 million records worldwide in their five-year career.