In 2003, Malaysia-based Astro All Asia Networks, as part of a rebranding exercise, sought to register a triangular logo, with its name underneath, as a trademark here. --ST PHOTO: NURIA LING
TWO broadcasters from Malaysia and Singapore, are battling it out not on the airwaves but the Singapore High Court over similarities in their logos.
In 2003, Malaysia-based Astro All Asia Networks, as part of a rebranding exercise, sought to register a triangular logo, with its name underneath, as a trademark here.
Astro, listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, provides direct-to-home satellite TV services in Malaysia and Brunei and is also a leading radio broadcaster and publisher of magazines in Malaysia.
But MediaCorp News, which owns and manages Channel NewsAsia (CNA), opposed the move, arguing that Astro's logo is similar to CNA's mark, which was registered in 2000.
But after a hearing last year, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) dismissed their opposition.
Principal assistant registrar Anne Loo found that while the logos are visually and conceptually similar, the similarities are not likely to confuse the public.
On Monday, MediaCorp appealed to the High Court against the IPOS decision.
Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
