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 compromise.

Ben 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 great.

Mr McDonald’s lawyer argued his pet health supplies business was operating in a different sector and there was no likelihood of confusion.

In 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 branding.

In 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”.

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 products.

His 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”.