A Belgian chocolate company has drawn the wrath of the people of Coventry in one of the most intriguing intellectual property cases of the past few years.
Godiva Chocolate appeared to claim it has exclusive rights to the name and image of Lady Godiva – the nobleman’s wife who is said to have ridden naked through the streets of the city in protest against her husband’s punitive taxes.
The confectionary giant has sent several letters to The Lady Godiva pub, warning the watering hole that it was infringing intellectual property laws.
Landlord Glen Simons was given 90 days to change the name of the premises and remove all references to the local heroine, who has been a famous figure in English folklore for centuries.
The claim led to criticism from companies, councillors and local historians who felt an essential part of Coventry’s heritage was under threat. Several coffee shops, a sports team and an annual music festival are named after the 11th century aristocrat.
Following the backlash, Godiva Chocolate issued a conciliatory statement and said it wanted to “clear the air”.
“First of all we would like to assure those establishments in and around Coventry who freely use the name Lady Godiva that we have never wished to challenge them on this. The legend of Lady Godiva has already taken its rightful place in history and we are as respectful as anyone of Coventry’s close association with it.”
The chocolatier has said it has taken issue with a “specific situation” involving a business which had used branding very similar to its own.
Intellectual property lawyers had already argued that the company would struggle to stop Coventry celebrating the name of the legend and would only be able to argue a trademark had been exploited in specific circumstances.