London 2012 Olympics: Accusations Middletons 'Breached Games Trade Mark' Dismissed

Accusations Middletons Breached Olympic Trade Mark Dismissed

Accusations that the Middleton family website is in breach of strict advertising laws covering the London 2012 Olympics have been dismissed.

The legal team at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) was said to be examining claims that Party Pieces – run by Carole and Michael Middleton – was in breach of the Olympic Act 2006, the Telegraph Sport claimed.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s family business is selling more than 100 items under the heading “Celebrate The Games” including a ring toss game and paper chains, both in Olympic colours. Among further paraphernalia for sale are multi-country flag banners and a Union Jack covered torch.

Carole and Michael Middleton

The Daily Mail described the same merchandise as: "A range of goods to cash in on the Games."

Locog describes the London 2012 brand as its “most valuable asset”, and has introduced under the London Olympic Games and Paralympics Act 2006, several rights of association which set out how Olympic branding can and cannot be used.

The words “Games”, “Two Thousand and Twelve”, “2012” and “Twenty-Twelve” cannot be combined with the words “London”, “medals”, “sponsors”, “gold”, “silver”, “bronze” or “summer” in such a way as to imply an official Olympic connection.

Sources told the Telegraph Sport any alleged breaches would be examined “no matter who they are”.

“The standard practice is to issue a warning letter, but in blatant breaches or where the company refuses to co-operate we take it seriously,” a source told the paper.

However this afternoon a spokesman for Locog told Huffington Post UK: "There are no infringements and the products are fine. We may ask them to make a very minor change to some copy.”

It was announced the Olympic Delivery Authority is sending out nearly 300 enforcement officers to ensure firms are not staging “ambush marketing” or associating themselves with the Games illegally.

Requests for comment from Party Pieces were refused. The company was accused of "cashing in" last year when daughter Kate married Prince William at Westminster Abbey.

The website featured British-themed party merchandise to celebrate the wedding, which was commemorated with a bank holiday.

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