BT’s YouView boxUK connected TV platform YouView infringes a trademark owned by a Total Ltd, an independent telecoms company based in South West England, according to a High Court ruling. The judgement, which was issued yesterday, concludes that YouView’s set top boxes and TV service infringed Total’s ‘YourView’ trademark, and dismissed YouView’s argument that the trademark was invalid.With the decision, Total, which is a business-to-business telco service provider based in Cheltenham, said it will now seek an injunction against YouView to prevent any further use of the name, together with financial payment and legal costs.However, YouView said in a statement that it planned to appeal against the High Court’s decision.“We maintain there is no confusion between our consumer-facing TV service, YouView, and the business-to-business billing platform, Yourview, provided by Total Ltd,” a YouView spokesperson told DTVE.Lorrin White, managing director of Total said: “Whilst Total may not compare to YouView in terms of size, we both operate in the same industry space. We protect our rights to brand ownership and wholeheartedly defend those rights – as any business should – otherwise we would never have registered our marks in the first place.“Our integrated YourView products are core to the long term strategy of Total. We are a business that respects our partners, competitors and the wider industry, but YouView have persisted in their infringement of our registered mark, leaving us no option but to take action through the courts.”The High Court ruling is the latest development in a legal spat between Total and YouView that stretches back to 2012. YouView is backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva.
Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT) has reached an agreement to extend its exclusive media rights to Formula 1 in Denmark, Norway and Sweden until 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, it will offer every practice session, qualifier and race live via a combination of NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service and its free TV and pay TV channels, with full commentary and analysis in local languages.Anders Jensen, NENT Group president and CEO commented: “Formula 1 is one of the world’s most exhilarating sports experiences and NENT Group is the Nordic region’s leading entertainment provider – so extending our long-term partnership is a natural step. We’re delighted to continue offering fans a front row seat at the fastest show on Earth on the best platforms in the business.”Kim Mikkelsen, NENT Group SVP and head of sport added: “We’ve been bringing Formula 1 to viewers in Denmark, Norway and Sweden since 2005. We’ve fine-tuned an exceptional product – with the very best local commentary and analysis from grid to podium.”The deal was done with Formula 1 director of media rights Ian Holmes, who said: “We have worked with MTG for more than a decade and they have continued to provide fantastic coverage of Formula 1. As the leading and most innovative entertainment company in the Nordic region, NENT Group is the right home for F1 racing. We look forward to continuing our relationship and working collaboratively with them on the F1 TV Pro OTT service and, in so doing, taking our partnership to new levels in the coming years.”In addition, NENT Group and Formula 1 revealed that they will offer an additional streaming service from the start of the 2019 season at the latest. The service will provide extended coverage and in-depth race information to the most dedicated Formula 1 fans.NENT is a market leader in motor sports in the Nordic region. Further rights include NASCAR, V8 Supercars, MotoGP and speedway (Nordic region); and Formula 2, Porsche Supercup, Race of Champions and Formula Renault Eurocup (Denmark, Norway and Sweden).
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