The Business Law Reports
[2011] Bus LR 1166
Court of Appeal
Best Buy Co Inc and another v Worldwide Sales Corpn España SL
[2011] EWCA Civ 618
2011 May 5;
24
Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury MR, Etherton, Patten LJJ
Evidence— Privilege— Without prejudice communications— Circumstances in which without prejudice communications admissible
Trade mark— Infringement— Groundless threats of proceedings— Statutory provision giving person aggrieved right of action— Claimant contending that letter from proprietor of Community trade mark constituting actionable threat— Proper approach to interpreting letter— Whether letter constituting “threat”— Whether threat to bring proceedings in United Kingdom— Whether directed to acts of infringement excluded by statutory provision— Whether letter protected by without prejudice rule— Whether claimants “person aggrieved”—
Trade Marks Act 1994 (c 26), s 21