Clash of the Bentley brands

LUXURY car brand Bentley Motors is in a legal battle with a small menswear clothing company over the use of its name.

Bentley Clothing, which sells its clothes in seven shops across Britain, has been pursued by the car group to cancel their trademark and stop the use of its name.

Bentley Clothing is owned by father and son Bob and Christopher Lees. The Lees family bought the brand from founder Gerald Bentley in 1991, however following difficulties in the 1990s their companies were put into receivership.

The Lees then bought back the Bentley Clothing name and have been trying to reestablish the company. The company’s clothes were once sold in hundreds of shops but now only seven shops stock it.

Christopher Lees, who is being advised by trademark attorney Mewburn Ellis, said: ‘Our attempts to develop have been thwarted because Bentley Motors have infringed and appear to claim ownership of our registered trademarks. Growth has been strangled.’

Bentley Motors, which is owned by Volkswagen Group, argued that the clothing company has not been trading properly. However Lees has submitted evidence to the court that it has continued to trade.

A Bentley Motors spokesman said: ‘As an internationally recognised brand, it is important for Bentley to protect its brand identity, trademarks and its business.’

A court hearing will be set next year.

Retail expert Eric Musgrave said: ‘Most of the big brands in cars and motorbikes are expanding into clothing and other accessories. This case shows the danger of not trading a brand name properly. These trademark dispute cases can run and run and are very costly for small companies.’