The estate of the late AC/DC singer Bon Scott is now free to use his name on a merchandise line.
Swiss bicycle company Scott Sports had contested their right to register Bon Scott as a trademark, contending that it could potentially confuse their customers. However, Bon’s estate, which is managed by his two brothers and a nephew, prevailed in a decision handed down last week by the U.K. Intellectual Property Office. Scottish Legal News reports that the proposed commemorative merch line is expected to include clothing, sunglasses, bags and wallets.
The hearing officer wrote in his verdict that he’s “satisfied that the marks are unlikely to be mistakenly recalled or misremembered as each other,” as he doesn’t think that “the average consumer would overlook the distinctive and dominant word ‘Bon’ at the beginning of the applicant’s mark.”
Although they were based in Australia, AC/DC’s principle original members — Scott and guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young — were all born in Scotland.
Scott died in 1980 at age 33.
REUTERS PHOTO
