An application to register the trademark for new sexual fetish dating website ‘KinkedIn’ has been rejected, after the name was deemed to be too similar to LinkedIn’s existing trademark.
Web service provider JK Solutions originally submitted the application to the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) in 2017, but the professional networking platform moved to block it, claiming it would create confusion that the two companies were related.
UKIPO described KinkedIn as a “casual kinky sex site catering for kinky or fetish interests”, and came to the conclusion that its existence would be damaging to LinkedIn’s reputation.
The two trademarks were found to be aurally and visually similar to a high degree, separated only by a different first letter.
Moreover, LinkedIn is registered as a brand for “social introduction and networking services”. This category is reportedly broad enough to include and lay claim to any dating services, giving LinkedIn further protection.
Hookup dating app Pernals was forced to change its name from Cragly recently after Craigslist threatened to take legal action. Craigslist had officially disbanded its personals section a year previously when the US government introduced FOTSA/SETSA legislation.
LinkedIn launched a dating app-style feature in August 2017 to pair users with mentors.
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