Latest news with #BossPets
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pet shop owner, 44, wins battle with Hugo Boss after fashion giant complained his Boss Pets name was too similar
A business owner has won a legal battle with fashion giant Hugo Boss, allowing him to keep the name of his pet shop 'Boss Pets'. Ben McDonald, 44, from Bootle, Liverpool, received a trademark infringement letter from the company last month ordering him to stop using 'Boss' in the name of his pet supplies website. But after 'back and forth emails' with the designer brand's legal team, his legal representative, Barrister Francis McEntagart of MC Legal, reached an agreement. It allowed Mr McDonald to continue using the name as long as he does not sell pet clothing or accessories with the name attached. Following the successful challenge, Mr McDonald believes this is a huge win for small business who have been 'bullied' and forced to change their names in the hands of big brands before him. 'It was a horrendous feeling receiving the email from Hugo Boss,' he said. 'I began questioning everything as I thought I couldn't take on Hugo Boss. 'But thanks to Francis I am free to use the name which is a huge win for small businesses as I felt so small at the time. 'I'm not bitter or anything,' he added. 'I still wear my Hugo Boss sunglasses, T-shirts, and underwear.' After seeking a career change, the ex-engineer started Boss Pets in August last year. He said he 'sunk thousands' into building the website, designing the logo, and ensuring the name was safe to be used before going live with the business on June 7, 2025. Mr McDonald came up with 'Boss Pets' because he thought the name would be something customers 'couldn't forget'. It was also true to his Scouse roots with the word being commonly used by locals to mean 'good' or 'great'. Throughout the name choosing process, Mr McDonald worked alongside Mr McEntagart who had told him 'Boss Pets' was legally sound in his business sector when sending off a trademark application on 2 June. Mr McDonald's trademark application was in 'Class 35, Retail Services' in relation to pet products where he said Hugo Boss didn't hold a trademark. The pet shop owner was told nine days later on June 11 that his trademark application was approved. He then officially published his website on June 12. Despite the approval, he received an email including an appeal letter from Hugo Boss on June 10, ordering him to stop using the word 'Boss' in his brand name. Lawyers working for the fashion giant gave him 10 days to remove the word 'Boss' and rebrand. Recalling the moment he read the email, Mr McDonald said: 'My whole world just collapsed. I was in complete shock. 'I had flyers, business cards, products all arriving through the post and I was thinking am I going to have to put it all in the bin. 'I had put thousands of pounds deep into my pockets making sure everything was to work out - it was a horrendous feeling. 'I didn't have the money to go back through all the rebrand everything it would bankrupt me. I was thinking I'm just a small business owner I can't take Hugo Boss on.' Thankfully, Mr McDonald said his lawyer put on 'boxing gloves and more than matched them [Hugo Boss]'. A few weeks later, with the help of Mr McEntagart, Mr McDonald managed to strike a deal which allowed him to continue to use the word 'Boss' in his company name. 'It happens unfortunately too often,' Mr McEntagart said. 'Whether [small business owners] can't get access to a lawyer or they feel it's going to be overly expensive in dealing with it.' 'But if you've spent considerable time and effort and money in building up your brand, even if it's at an early stage, I think it's worth certainly seeking out somebody to just get their advice. '[Mr McDonald] is now free to go and carry on with his work and he doesn't have to fear for any sort of knock on the door saying "you can't use that name".' Mr McDonald urges those who know they are safe to use a word or name for a company to seek legal advice before making a final decision. A spokesperson for Hugo Boss said that as an 'international fashion company' they need to 'take measures to protect' their 'existing trademark rights' which include their brands of 'BOSS' and 'HUGO'. The spokesperson also said: 'In addition to our BOSS business of high-quality women's and men's apparel, shoes, and accessories, the brand also operates in other areas - such as BOSS home, BOSS equestrian, and BOSS dog accessories - for which we also hold trademark rights. 'The business affected here has already been operating under the name Boss Pets since early 2024 to our knowledge, but only filed the registration for the trademark in June 2025. 'When we became aware of the registration, we approached the business owner as the intended registration represents an overlap with our trademarks. We are aware that the English word "boss" is one that is commonly used. 'Nevertheless, it's our responsibility to monitor and protect our brand rights globally and address unclear cases where needed. 'We would also like to underline that trademark law requires brands to monitor their marks and take action. 'HUGO BOSS only approaches third parties where an overlap with our existing trademark rights occurs, and as a matter of principle, we always seek dialogue in favour of an amicable solution for both sides.'
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hugo Boss offer compromise to Merseyside pet store in trademark row
The owner of a pet supplies business in a row with fashion company Hugo Boss over its name said the company had offered a McDonald, from Bootle, set up online retail outlet Boss Pets in February, but this month received a letter from the clothes brand demanding he stop using the word Boss, which is widely used in the Merseyside area to suggest something is McDonald's lawyer argued his pet health supplies business was operating in a different sector and there was no likelihood of a letter seen by the BBC, Hugo Boss said it wants Boss Pets to exclude any pet accessories that overlap with the German company's own pet accessory range. The fashion company, which has been contacted for comment, also wants to put limits on the Boss Pets a previous statement a Hugo Boss spokeswoman said the company had a responsibility "to monitor and protect our brand rights globally and address unclear cases where needed". 'Commonly used' Mr McDonald, who has described himself as "just a lad from Bootle", said he had spent "every spare penny" on his new website for his pet-related lawyer, Francis McEntegart of MC Legal, said Hugo Boss has been "very heavy handed" with his client but discussions "were moving in the right direction".He said Boss Pets would adhere to the requests "because we were already doing that"."I just want further confirmation from them that they aren't going to pursue or oppose the trademark," he added.A spokeswoman for Hugo Boss previously said the company was aware the English word boss "is commonly used".She said the firm "only approaches third parties where an overlap with our existing trademark rights occurs, and as a matter of principle we always seek for a dialogue in favour of an amicable solution for both sides". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Hugo Boss demands Liverpool pet shop changes name
A pet shop owner received a legal letter from fashion giant Hugo Boss due to the name of his company. Ben McDonald, from Bootle in Merseyside, said his 'whole world collapsed' when he received a letter from the global clothing brand over his shop Boss Pets. The business owner, who set up the online pet health supplies store in February, said the letter sent this month demanded he change the name – even though the word 'boss' is widely used in the area to describe something as really good. Mr McDonald claimed he was told by Hugo Boss to take down his website within 10 days after concerns the companies could be seen as linked were raised. Describing himself as 'just a lad from Bootle', he told the BBC he spent 'every spare penny' on his pet-related products website. The fashion house has previously allegedly targeted small companies and charities who use the word 'boss' in their names. A Hugo Boss spokesperson told the broadcaster: 'We are aware that the English word 'boss' is one that is commonly used.' They continued: 'Nevertheless, it's our responsibility to monitor and protect our brand rights globally and address unclear cases where needed.' They added: 'When we became aware of the registration, we have approached the business owner as the intended registration represents an overlap with our trademarks. 'As an international fashion company, we need to – like any other corporation – take measures to protect our existing trademark rights. These measures apply to both of our brands, BOSS and HUGO.' They explained that the firm 'only approaches third parties where an overlap with our existing trademark rights occurs, and as a matter of principle we always seek for a dialogue in favour of an amicable solution for both sides'. Comedian Joe Lycett legally changed his name to Hugo Boss in 2020 after calling out the luxury company for allegedly costing small businesses, including Swansea brewery company Boss Brewing, 'thousands in legal fees and rebranding'. Mr McDonald's own lawyers have argued that his business is operating in a different sector, namely pet health supplies, and that the term is commonly used – therefore, they say there is no chance of confusion between the two firms. Francis McEntegart said his client does not have a case to answer and accused the designer brand of bullying Mr McDonald. He said: 'My client is a small local business that is just starting out selling pet wellness products, it's not going to interfere with the profits of Hugo Boss in any way.'
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Liverpool owner of Boss Pets ordered to change name by Hugo Boss
A Liverpool pet products company, Boss Pets, has been told to take down its website after the fashion house Hugo Boss said its name was infringing its trademark. 'Boss' is a commonly used slang word in Merseyside, used to mean something is 'great' or 'excellent.' Ben McDonald, from Bootle, Liverpool, set up the online pet health supplies business in February, the BBC reported. McDonald, who describes himself as 'just a lad from Bootle' who had spent 'every spare penny' launching the business, said his 'whole world collapsed' when he received a letter from the brand demanding he stop using the word. He was given 10 days to take down his website or face legal action. 'My client is a small local business that is just starting out selling pet wellness products, it's not going to interfere with the profits of Hugo Boss in any way,' his lawyer, Francis McEntegart, said. A spokesperson for Hugo Boss said she was aware of the colloquial use of the word, but said the company needed to 'protect our brand rights'. 'We are aware that the English word 'boss' is one that is commonly used,' they said. 'Nevertheless, it's our responsibility to monitor and protect our brand rights globally and address unclear cases where needed.' 'When we became aware of the registration, we have approached the business owner as the intended registration represents an overlap with our trademarks,' she added. 'As an international fashion company, we need to – like any other corporation – take measures to protect our existing trademark rights. These measures apply to both of our brands, BOSS and HUGO.' The German fashion house is known for fiercely enforcing its trademark. In 2020, the comedian Joe Lycett briefly changed his name by deed poll to Hugo Boss in response to the company sending cease-and-desist letters to small businesses and charities that had used the word boss in their names.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hugo Boss in legal threat to Merseyside pet shop over name
A Merseyside online pet shop has found itself in the sights of a major international fashion retailer over a word in its name. Ben McDonald, from Bootle in Merseyside, set up Boss Pets in February, but this month received a letter from Hugo Boss demanding he stop using the word, which is widely used in the area to suggest something is great. Mr McDonald said his "whole world collapsed" after being told he faced the potential legal battle over concerns people might think the companies were linked. A spokeswoman for Hugo Boss said: "We are aware that the English word 'boss' is one that is commonly used." She added that "nevertheless, it's our responsibility to monitor and protect our brand rights globally and address unclear cases where needed"."When we became aware of the registration, we have approached the business owner as the intended registration represents an overlap with our trademarks."As an international fashion company, we need to – like any other corporation – take measures to protect our existing trademark rights. These measures apply to both of our brands, BOSS and HUGO."She said the firm "only approaches third parties where an overlap with our existing trademark rights occurs, and as a matter of principle we always seek for a dialogue in favour of an amicable solution for both sides". 'Lad from Bootle' Mr McDonald's own lawyers have argued that the firm was operating in an entirely different sector, using a commonly used term, and that there was no likelihood of McDonald, who described himself as "just a lad from Bootle", said he had been given 10 days to take down his website or face legal said he had spent "every spare penny" on his new website for his pet-related lawyer Francis McEntegart said Mr McDonald did not have a case to answer and was accusing the clothes retailer of bullying his client."My client is a small local business that is just starting out selling pet wellness products, it's not going to interfere with the profits of Hugo Boss in anyway." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
