The fizz has gone flat in Bucks Fizz trademark battle

UK

Catherine White-staff reporter

Former Bucks Fizz member singer Bobby G has won a court case preventing his former band mates from performing under the name The Original Bucks Fizz.

Bobby's wife, Heidi Manton, owns the copyright to the name Bucks Fizz. "Bucks Fizz are solely owned and managed by Heidi Manton", it states on the Original Bucks Fizz website.

A ruling was made last week that Bobby G, real name Robert Gubby, can carry on using the name, and thus, ruling that the other three ex-members must stop using it.

Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston, are said to be "extremely disappointed" by the ruling and it is thought they will appeal.

On the Original Bucks Fizz website, managed by Bobby G, it states, "I wish to let you know that we have been successful in the recent trademark dispute. Thanks go out to everyone for their messages of support."

Bobby said he felt entitled to claim his band was the "original" act because it had a "direct connection" right back to when it was first founded.

 "The current members of the group, as featured on this site, are the only group authorised to perform under the registered trademark of BUCKS FIZZ," the website states.

During a hearing at the Intellectual Property Office on 15 July Mr Dunham, who represented the trio, argued that Bucks Fizz fans had been left "disappointed" after buying tickets for a band featuring only one member of the original line-up.



But in his ruling, principal hearing officer Allan James said the confusion was actually caused by the use of the name The Original Bucks Fizz. He ordered that any costs incurred by Heidi Manton during the action should be paid.

Dunham said of the ruling, "We believe the decision is not correct in law".



Bucks Fizz shot to fame after they won the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Making Your Mind Up' in 1981.