House of Fraser and Jack Wills in copyright battle

Department store House of Fraser was found to have infringed the copyright of upmarket clothing brand Jack Wills.

The company was taken to court by Jack Wills after bosses spotted that a pigeon logo used in House of Fraser clothes from HoF’s Linea range was remarkably similar to its famous pheasant mark.

The judge agreed with Jack Wills that the pigeon logo wearing a waistcoat, top hat and bow tie was too similar to its pheasant wearing a top hat and cane.

Mr Justice Arnold told the court that House of Fraser’s use of such a similar logo took unfair advantage of Jack Wills’ trademark in an attempt to enhance its own brand.

Jeremy Hertzog from law firm Mishcon de Reya, representing Jack Wills, said: “This case is a paradigm example of a retailer sailing too close to the wind in aping the get-up of a famous brand for a lookalike product.”

House of Fraser is considering  an appeal.