Associated Triumphs Over Desmond In Evening Mail Dispute
Associated Newspapers has won its legal battle to prevent Richard Desmond from calling his new London newspaper the Evening Mail.
Desmond, who owns the Express Newspaper Group, will have to rethink the name of his planned London free-sheet after a high court judge ruled that readers could mistake the title for an evening version of either the Daily Mail or the Mail on Sunday.
The decision was reportedly based on the fact that political views or promotions for adult services contained within the paper could result in customers or advertisers wrongly boycotting the rival Mail titles.
In response to the decision, a spokesman for Associated Newspapers said: “We are delighted with the judge’s ruling and the fact that he has enforced the Mail group’s trademarks and accepted that there would have been confusion and damage to the Mail brand.”
He added: “Associated Newspapers could not contemplate allowing its goodwill and reputation to be hijacked by a rival publisher. We regard this as a transparent attempt by Express Newspapers to piggy-back off the Mail name.”
However, the judge is believed to have concluded that there is significant difference between the Daily Mail and London Evening Mail for Express Newspapers to use that name if it decides go ahead with its plans.
The launch of the title has been heralded for some months now and earlier this year it was reported that LBC 97.3FM radio host, Nick Ferrari, had been appointed editor. However, there is still no indication as to when the paper will hit the news-stands.
Speculation also suggests that Associated Newspapers is considering further launches of its Metro free-sheet in response to the threat of increased competition in the London area from Desmond (see Metro Could Expand To Counter Threat From Desmond).
Express Newspapers: 020 7928 8000 DMGT: 020 7938 6000 www.dmgt.co.uk
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