Lorde trademark

The Lorde dilemma (Letters, January 7) from a Kiwi trademark perspective. Lorde is the trademark of a pet shampoo, and has also been registered by the said Grammy winning songstress Lorde’s Australian holding company, Sackful of Squirrels Ltd.

The Trade Marks Act 2002 considers the aural/phonetic value of a mark equally, therefore Lorde and/or Lord are considered the same. A Lord for chemicals and paints for an outfit entitled Lord Corporation of Lord Drive, North Carolina, US, appears on the local register.

Missing from the register is Lord, owned by Mr J. Christ or his nominees or associates.

Murray C. Stott, Dunedin