Giovanni Laporta, inventor of Smart Ready technology, has successfully contested an application by Assa Abloy to the European Union Intellectual Property Office for registration of ‘Smart Living Ready’ as a trademark.
Announcing the result, he said it should serve as a ‘red flag’ for anyone in the industry to be careful about which brands they opt for when getting into the emerging Smart windows and doors market: “This decision will help protect consumers and hopefully put to bed any rumours that have been circulating about who owns what brand.”
He continued: “I’ve said many times in public, that I will protect my brands before I even think to blink. People who know me, know I stand by my word and this latest news is proof. I am deeply proud of what me and my teams have achieved, like anyone who has created a business should be.”
The result is the conclusion of an application originally made by Assa Abloy in 2019. The applicant is also ordered to pay costs.
Assay Abloy responded with a statement: “As the global leader in access solutions, Assa Abloy both create and embrace new technology, none more so than in the Smart security market where the organisation has successfully sold products since 2012 and continues to lead markets in many countries.
“As part of the product development procedure, Assa Abloy apply for many Trademarks with the appropriate authorities to establish registration and/or freedom to operate in a given market. We always respect the decisions from routine Trademark applications by those authorities, in this case the European Union Intellectual Property Office.
“Assa Abloy are committed in defining and developing solutions that help people feel safe and secure in simple and convenient ways.”
Smart Ready was launched at the FIT Show in 2019 and will again be at the show this year when it returns in September.
