American upscale fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is currently the registered owner of the Bondi Beach trade mark (the name of Australia’s most famous beach) in the US even though it no longer has any clothing stores in Australia (having closed these in 2015). This has caused some problems recently.
Australian companies based at Bondi Beach such as Bondi Wash (an Australian company selling fragrant, natural Australian products for the home, body, baby and dogs) and winter swimming club the Bondi Icebergs have successfully trademarked their company names in Australia but they are prevented from doing the same thing in the US because of the conflict with Abercrombie & Fitch’s existing registered trade mark.
Bondi Beach and its trade mark have been said to have significant economic value and are seen to be a useful tool for marketing Australia overseas. It is hoped that Abercrombie & Fitch will relinquish their hold on the “Bondi Beach” trade mark.
Source: http://buff.ly/2v6GZEh
