Trademark warning as Lleyton scores a winner

A warning to all entrepreneurs: Don’t let your trademarks lapse. The latest casualty is Swedish tennis player Niclas Kroon who has owned the trademark to the word “vicht” which means “for sure.” It was Kroon who introduced the famous vicht salute, a strange hand gesture that was later picked up by Lleyton Hewitt.

It is believed the trademark to the word which had been held by Kroon since 1988 lapsed after the death of Kroon’s father who looked after his business affairs. Apparently Kroon had plans for the word, intending to launch his own brand of vicht clothing.

A newspaper report says that Lleyton Hewitt has made an application for the trademark. While records do not show that he has applied for the trademark, they do show that he has applications pending for several other trademarks including Lleyton & Bec Hewitt, “C’mon” and Lleyton Hewitt. The applications cover uses ranging from clothing to children’s coaching.

Paul Zawa, partner at lawyers Minter Ellison says everyone needs to be very aware of letting their trademark lapse. “It’s use it or lose it,” he says.