24/01/2013

Unite To Challenge Waterford Crystal Trademark

Waterford Crystal glass should only be made in Waterford, a European legal campaign in hoping to establish.

In an effort to force the owners of Waterford Crystal to repatriate manufacturing of the brand to the city, the Unite union has announced plans for a test case to be brought before the Registry of Trade Marks in Alicante in Spain and then possibly to the European Courts of Justice.

Waterford Crystal closed in 2009 with the loss of 600 skilled jobs.

However a US private equity company, KPS Capital Partners, bought the brand name along with $2.5bn (€1.9bn) worth of assets.

While some crystal items are again being made in Waterford, the vast majority of manufacturing has moved outside of the State.

Saying there is significant legal and commercial precedent for a successful action against the making of products in other regions, such as Champagne in France and Parma ham in Italy, Unite want to challenge the use of the trademark on glass not produced in Waterford.

WWRD said: "Since the formation of WWRD in March 2009 we have demonstrated our commitment to returning manufacturing to the City of Waterford. In June 2010 we opened the House of Waterford Crystal creating over 120 jobs in the process. The House of Waterford Crystal was the result of a huge amount of hard work led by WWRD and Waterford City Council, and a working group which included a wide range of local stakeholders, including Unite. WWRD is committed to manufacturing in Waterford City and we always welcome constructive dialogue with Unite."

(H)

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