High Court judge rules against JLR in Defender design battle

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has failed in its legal battle to trademark the shape of its iconic Defender 4×4.

A High Court judge threw out an appeal by the manufacturer after the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) said it would refuse a trademark for the model.

The move will pave the way for Ineos billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to bring forward what he has called the “spiritual successor” to the renowned off-roader, after JLR stopped production of the marque four years ago.

In July, Ineos unveiled designed for its Grenadier, saying it would spend £1bn designing and building the model.

JLR hasn’t ruled out a further appeal on the decision. A spokesperson for the firm said: “We will take whatever decisions we think are needed to protect our design.”

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