DFS wins legal pillow fight against rival Sofaworks
FURNITURE retailer Sofaworks could be forced to change its named after losing a legal case brought by Doncaster rival DFS.
The independent Wigan-based company said it was “dismayed” and “dumbfounded” by a judgement given in the Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court that its brand name infringes DFS’ Sofa Workshop brand.
Sofaworks only rebranded from CSL in 2013, and its owner and chief executive Jason Tyldesley says while he feels “very badly let down”, is determined to keep challenging its competition.
The Sofa Workshop has called the firm’s rebrand a “misrepresentation”, with chief executive Paul Staden saying: “By comparison to Sofaworks, we’re a relatively small brand that has been operating since 1985.
“We’re therefore pleased that the court has ruled in our favour and that we’ve been successful in protecting the Sofa Workshop brand from passing off by
Sofaworks, the company formally known as CSL.
“Following a two day hearing, the court held that Sofaworks’ use of its trade name constitutes a misrepresentation that is sufficient to cause material damage to Sofa Workshop’s goodwill. Accordingly, CSL / Sofaworks was found to be liable for passing off.
“It is not yet known whether Sofaworks intends to appeal the decision.”
CSL/Sofaworks chief executive Mr Tyldesley said: “This case will only fuel our resolve and far from hesitate, we will now push forward with this name or the next, believing that it’s what’s inside that matters.
“We can reassure our customers, colleagues and suppliers that we won’t miss a beat and will continue our business as usual approach of bringing honesty and transparency to the sector – the DNA of our customer focused strategy.”
He added: “Sofaworks vs DFS has been a real case of David and Goliath, and whilst we are flattered at being seen as such a threat to DFS – this judgement has sadly gone in favour of the big boys with big pockets.
“For this judgement to state that we are passing off as Sofa Workshop, makes no sense to us. How could Sofaworks ever benefit from pretending to be a smaller retailer, especially one operating in boutique upmarket stores, a stark contrast to our own retail park based superstores. Why would a salmon pretend to be a stickleback in order to swim up the river?”
“Appeal or no appeal, it’s only a name and as the fastest growing sofa retailer in the UK this is down to much more than our name or our customer’s favourite ‘Neal the Sloth’, we will simply continue our growth by doing more of what we do better and differently for our customers.”
