Stores trading off on ‘brand Kate’ could be sued

Clothing retailers who have been using Kate Middleton`s name to be sued.

London: Clothing retailers hoping to make a quick buck by using the royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton’s name on their outfits could be sued for tens of thousands of pounds.

Companies are not allowed to suggest any member of the Royal Family has endorsed any of their products but this could now apply to Prince William’s bride-to-be, it has been claimed. According to a daily, courtiers have vowed to invoke copyright laws in a bid to thwart the practice after agreeing that though the Middleton name was not a brand in its own right, her looming membership of the Royal Family meant the Royals now ‘controlled’ the use of her name. “She has a reputation to uphold and because of that she is, to all intents and purposes, akin to a brand or marque,” the Telegraph quoted the royal aides as saying. Prince William and Middleton will allow rules on the use of official pictures and coats of arms to be relaxed for souvenirs of their wedding, but the Royal Household will clamp down on any other attempts to trade off Middleton’s name. “It is highly unlikely that we would have any objection if a company wanted to call the dress ‘the Kate dress’ ... it may, however, be a different scenario if it was called the ``Catherine/Kate Middleton dress,” said an aide. ANI