He’s arguably the best F1 driver of all time and he’s soon to be Sir Lewis Hamilton, but surely even he can’t have his way all the time. The Mercedes F1 driver has lost a three-year legal battle with the Hamilton Watch Company over the Hamilton trademark on watches in Europe.
Now, if you know your watches, you’d know Hamilton, a brand that has been making and selling watches before Lewis was born. Founded in 1892, Hamilton predates Lewis’ father Anthony by many decades.
An American brand that is now part of the giant Swatch Group, Hamilton is most famous for its Khaki field watches. For those not into watches, Elvis Presley wore Hamilton, and the ana-digi watch you saw in the movie Tenet this year is by them. In short, they’re legit and have been so for a long time.
So here’s what it’s all about. According to the Daily Mail, Lewis Hamilton’s company 44IP claimed that the watch brand’s trademark had been filed in “bad faith”. 44IP attempted to trademark the name “Lewis Hamilton” for a range of products including smartwatches, jewellery and yes, watches. But the watchmaker Hamilton challenged the move, which is logical. LH then fought his corner.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has now ruled that the watch brand has the rights to continue doing what it has been doing for over a century. “The argument relating to the IP rights of the racing driver Lewis Hamilton fails. There is no ‘natural right’ for a person to have his or her own name registered as a trademark, when that would infringe third parties’ rights,” the continent’s IP authority said in a statement.
EUIPO rightly pointed out that the watchmaker has used the Hamilton name since 1892, and that this was “before the date of birth of ‘Lewis Hamilton’ as a natural person.” Straightforward enough, sorry Lewis, and long live the field watch!
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Stupid spoiled brat.. I never like Lewis since his F1 debut, regardless how many world championship he won..
We don’t see drivers like Hakkinen anymore, humble and gentlemen during the race and out of the track.
And Senna who has a big heart for his countryman and the people of Brazil..
And what we have from Lewis Hamilton, trying to win over the brand name that exists over a hundred years so that he can make more money by selling merchandise?.. I owned 2 swiss mechanicanical watches, these watch brands have such great heritage and they need to be preserved, not kill them.. Disgusting..
Its lewis hamilton brand vs hamilton brand…his name is lewis hamilton so whats wrong with him using his own name as a brand…hes already a legend at a very young age…why…cannot accept that hes half black so must belittle him…typical white supremacy…
Even Cristiano Ronaldo did not bother to trademark his name because there was a famous Ronaldo earlier than him, CR7 knew better and respected what came before him, Lewis didn’t even think that far. As a superstar, CR7 class is miles ahead of Lewis here.
how about Lewis trademark on watches
“typical white supremacy…”
EUIPO is not the world court. Why don’t he try to file his trademark in Africa?
Betoi bruh…dont ever try to touch my burgers.
Try to against the watches company that have been exist way before his parents born even. Stupid lewis stupid champion. Try to against a company
dontgofullretard
dear Lewis, perhaps u may want to name your branding as Pussy Cat Dolls
After winning 7th championship titles, still whining. He should have paid all his taxes in UK if he is to be knighted. Wayne Rooney is right about this guy. He is no Schumacher or Senna
form is temporary, class is permanent
yes, he is talent driver with luck. however, looking back past days what he did. he is attention seeker, always want to proof how different he is. he always think black is weak in everyone eyes, always treat unfairly by other people.
After George Floyd case happened. he has took opportunity held several times of memorials. Bernie Ecclestone has issue on him
I’ll go and buy Hamilton’s watch immediately. A good job well done Hamilton.. two thumbs up..
Bye Bye Lewis.
he is suing a watch company with same surname?? LMFAO
thank god i dont have same surname…else get sued too?