Thanasi fights for nickname
A LEGAL stoush over the rights of Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis to use his “Special K’’ nickname commercially – a move which is being opposed by breakfast cereal giant Kellogg’s – has been put on hold until next week.
The case was mentioned briefly in the Federal Court yesterday where it was then listed for a management hearing on September 7.
Kellogg’s, which owns the right to the Special K trademark in Australia, recently launched action to prevent the 21-year-old using Special K as part of any branding campaign. The parties came before the court in June with Justice Brigitte Markovic sending the case to a mediation conference.
The action by Kellogg’s is actually filed against TJ Kokkinakis Pty Ltd, believed to be a company controlled by the tennis player’s father.
Kokkinakis and doubles partner Nick Kyrgios are often referred to in the media as the Special Ks.