Free Postcode Lottery being forced to change their name

dizzyliz

I'm with postcode lottery, past couple years at least (won£30).


what is this free postcode lottery? ...


do you think they are angry for the name or the fact it is free?


think they have done themselves over now for doing this - as I am interested in the free one rather than the one I'm paying for and not getting much back.

sleepyjones

https://freepostcodelottery.com/

You sign up, give them your postcode and everyday they have a few draws where they choose random postcodes to win that days prizes.

Just need to check the site to see if your postcode came up, prizes aren't as good as the "other" site, but it's free, and if you've only won £30 on it then there's no comparison.

jdsaint

The Free Postcode Lottery has been going over 10 years, if PPL were that bothered they should have taken action years ago - knowing their other legal but highly questionable tactics it would not surprise me if they waited for the FPL to become a large well established brand before taking action in the hope that they will in someway be able to make use of the name/domain and take in some more suckers.

The FPL celebrated their 7th birthday last month

From what I've read it looks like the 'battle' has been ongoing for a year but yes it does seem odd that they've waited. It wasn't like The FPL wasn't gaining publicity a few years back.

With that in mind, I wonder whether they waited until they had "postcode lottery" trademarked before embarking on action? That was tmed in March 2017.. couple of weeks later My Free Postcode Lottery (now defunct) withdrew their TM application.

A year before Free Postcode Lottery was denied a trademark application - perhaps that was when The PPL's interest started? And maybe since that point they've been building their case.

Whilst re-looking at TMs I did see that The PPL also have The UK's Postcode Lottery as a TM and that was from 2006. That could be a pain in the butt.

Jason

tain

jdsaint wrote: »

But they own the trademark for "postcode lottery" and in that respect they have the right to defend that mark in the same way Martin Lewis can defend any possible misuse of "Martin Lewis".

It's not a good situation for The FPL and it'd be great if a swift and uncostly resolution can be reached... but whether you like it or not, The PPL are just defending what they believe is their Intellectual Property.

You wouldn't expect Martin Lewis to not defend his trademark, so you have to accept that other companies will do the same - whether you like it or not. Whether "postcode lottery" should be a trademark is another debate. However, The PPL will also be arguing that they've been established for a number of years, created reputation and that "passing off" occurs with regards a postcode lottery so the TM argument is only part of the problem.

The worse part of this is that to defend themselves The FPL would have to stump up a lot of cash - if they win, then it still costs them. If they lose then it costs them and a bit more besides.

Hopefully Chris and his team come out with a good - and uncostly - result.

Jason

Are you sure they own the trademark 'Postcode Lottery' and not 'Peoples Postcode Lottery'? I can see a trademark listing for Postcode Lottery, but it was registered in 2017 (although I'm not sure if renewals show up as new when they're renewed).

tain

sleepyjones wrote: »

I can see where the PPL are coming from ... my mum would probably think the People's Postcode Lottery and the Free Postcode Lottery are run by the same company, which is where I guess this is coming from.

Not saying I agree with what they are doing but I can see why it could cause confusion with consumers.

It's not so much if they get confused, is if someone would have come along being happy to pay for the Peoples one, and wound up not paying because they found the Free one.

Given the difference in prize fund, I'd struggle to see anyone who wanted to win £100k's or more, and was willing to pay for the chance, who then decided that a free lottery for £500 or less was what they were after.

tain

I think they're taking action now for one of two reasons:

a) FPL has gotten so big that they're hearing about it far more often from their customers, or people looking for FPL and wondering why they're charging for it. Just a few enquiries a week wouldn't bother them, but if it's turned into every other phone call, then that's a reason to want it to stop.

b) PPL are really struggling at the moment, and this is an easy scapegoat for directors who are under pressure to perform.

Probably a combination of the two.

jdsaint

Are you sure they own the trademark 'Postcode Lottery'

https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00003217171

Owned by Novamedia

diddlydoop

I wish someone could sue the PPL for those blooming annoying adverts that are on the telly every 10 minutes

sleepyjones

Someone knocking on your door ... someone's ringin' the bell