Bad faith under spotlight as UK considers Sky v SkyKick

28-06-2023

Muireann Bolger

Bad faith under spotlight as UK considers Sky v SkyKick

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As the landmark case reaches the UK’s highest court, trademark lawyers tell WIPR that the unexpected is to be expected in this most unpredictable of disputes.

After seven years of winding its way through the UK courts—and no fewer than eight judgments—the UK Supreme Court will finally hear arguments related to the trademark dispute between Sky and SkyKick.

Described by lawyers as “one of the most important UK trademark cases in years”, it is anticipated that the outcome may ultimately define the UK’s post-Brexit position on ‘bad faith’—generally defined as a lack of genuine intention on the part of the trademark owner to use the registered mark.

The dispute first emerged when Sky sought to block the cloud management company from using the sign ‘SkyKick’ in relation to “email migration and cloud storage services”, triggering an international feud between the two companies.


Sky, SkyKick, trademarks, bad faith, UK

WIPR