Trademark Issues over "Wonga" in Domain?

[addz123]

Hi,

I'm planning to develop a site at StudentWonga.co.uk related to finance advice for students.

I realise Wonga.com has a TM over "Wonga" on its own: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E5835186

I was wondering what the general consensus is here at Acorn over potential trademark issues.

Personally, I think the fact that wonga is a slang term for money, combined with the fact that I've got another word student infront of it, means it should be fine.

For example, if I was developing Wonga.org, I can understand the obvious infringement.

But when you trademark a generic term "Wonga" on its own as mark text, I don't see what's stopping me from using it in a domain with other words, e.g. Bowonga.com, OnlineWonga.com, PennyWonga.com etc.

Thanks.

Adam

 

[addz123]

Also, don't know if it makes a difference but Wonga has been used elsewhere:

e.g. Books - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1861979347/?tag=acorn06-21
Websites e.g. http://www.wongaman.co.uk/, BingoWonga.com, Casinowonga.com
Nature - The Wonga Pigeon

 

[doodlebug]

I think like Apple is trademarked for computers and Wonga for money lending but it is unfair that you can't use a slang word for the a term which it relates to.

This is my argument, the fruit Apple in general has nothing to do with computers so having eg studentapple.co.uk and writing about computers would be conflicting but having something like treeapple.co.uk and writing about the fruit Apple they couldn't do anything about it so it's like with Wonga which means money you can't stop someone from writing about money using the word Wonga.

Another point is that you can't trademark a word in it's own category for eg, you can't call a butchers butchers or an opticians opticians and trademark them.

I would do this site but stay clear of advertising the company Wonga and make sure your Google ads don't display it either.

 

[pete]

The question I always ask myself is could I afford to defend myself if the trademark holder came knocking on my door regardless of how shitty their claim might be.

 

[max99x]

I personally wouldn't consider using 'wonga' in a domain in a million years!!!!

you are asking for trouble really.

if your site was for something not relating to finance then maybe i'd consider it for a few minutes but then i'd still not use it!

 

[addz123]

I personally wouldn't consider using 'wonga' in a domain in a million years!!!!

you are asking for trouble really.

if your site was for something not relating to finance then maybe i'd consider it for a few minutes but then i'd still not use it!

But wonga is a slang term for money. It's not as if they invented it.

If I started a company called Laptop then what's stopping me from trademarking it? Wonga is a generic term just like laptop, cash or dollars.

I just don't get how it is possible to trademark an entire word in the English language so that no one else can use it.

 

[stellar73]

I had the exact same dilemma a few weeks ago.....I'd been looking for a name to do a 'ways to earn extra cash' type site and noticed that easywonga.co.uk had dropped and not been picked up.

Was considering registering it but ended up not doing so due to the same confusion over the Wonga trademark issue.

As far as I'm concerned 'wonga' is a very general slang term for money so from a common sense point of view I would have thought there wouldn't be an issue but given that a trademark exists I thought it simply wasn't worth the hassle.

I'm quite surprised the term was able to be trademarked specifically in relation to financial services given it's in such common usage in this area.

 

[stellar73]

But wonga is a slang term for money. It's not as if they invented it.

If I started a company called Laptop then what's stopping me from trademarking it? Wonga is a generic term just like laptop, cash or dollars.

I just don't get how it is possible to trademark an entire word in the English language so that no one else can use it.

Posted my last comment before seeing this - yes I agree completely!!

 

[max99x]

Just not worth the hassle/risk imho ...

 

[Retired_member41]

There is no hassle or risk. Just use it.

Reality is if your having to ask questions like this your never really going to make a success anyway.

 

[PredPred is verified member.]

wonga, owned by an old school chum of david cameron that gets away with charging 25,000 % apr, legally
what chance do you think you stand?
the interests of these types are always protected by the 'powers that be'

if just advice site should be fine , hopefully. you would like to think so, is generic slang word
why not use another term though, saves hassle and prob gives you more credibility not being associated with them sharks tbh

 

[Aegean]

Wonga is a generic term just like laptop, cash or dollars.

No, it isn't a word in the English language, its a slang word which is why they have been able to copytight it. They have copyrighted a word which isn't a word, just as I could whack a trademark on "Flergens".

Its not possible to trademark a generic word like laptop, cash, car, bike or money, as was stated in an earlier post.

 

[Bailey]

How would an independant mind view your use (not wonga the current users) Which is how judgements are often reached

Capitalising on the current use of the TM'd Term and usage Is my bet. = trouble best avoided

 

[pete]

No, it isn't a word in the English language, its a slang word which is why they have been able to copytight it. They have copyrighted a word which isn't a word, just as I could whack a trademark on "Flergens".

Its not possible to trademark a generic word like laptop, cash, car, bike or money, as was stated in an earlier post.

Actually Laptop is a registered trademark - http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ohim?ohimnum=E4549044 - but only in relation to non laptop type products

 

[Aegean]

Yes, thats because it used to be a slang word, but now its integrated.

 

[PredPred is verified member.]

Its not possible to trademark a generic word like laptop, cash, car, bike or money, as was stated in an earlier post.

we have more controls on what can and cant be tm'ed in uk
the states however is another matter
they trademark anything and everything
and they are the really agressive bar stewards when it comes to enforcing
just accept world's gone mad. it's a lot easier when you do lol
not you, everyone. I did many years ago, wibble

 

[GeekSlash]

I'd just go with another term if I was you, even though wonga is quite common as a slang term it's not universal across the UK and thus might not be best for your audience. I was going to create a similar site, you can see my early attempt before I moved onto other things here: http://streetwisestudent.com/. When researching the domain I found quite a few good options of words that indicate savvy with money next to the word student, so wonga isn't your only choice here.

 

[newguy]

It's a shame they've been able to take wonga away from us. Del Boy wouldn't be happy!

 

[Marcoose]

I would definitely go for that other name we were discussing on Skype. I couldn't imagine putting in hundreds of hours and thousands of pounds into a project to have it taken off me. Oh wait there, I could...... Penguin.

 

[VSC]

No, it isn't a word in the English language, its a slang word which is why they have been able to copytight it. They have copyrighted a word which isn't a word, just as I could whack a trademark on "Flergens".

Its not possible to trademark a generic word like laptop, cash, car, bike or money, as was stated in an earlier post.

But what is a word? My belief was that if it was in the English dictionary, it is a word. Wonga is, origin 1980s:

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/wonga?q=wonga

So the question is how do the powers that be classify a word - what resource do they use to confirm a word ...