Gucci lost out in High Court in an appeal of opposition the Italian-based company had made back in January of 2007. The famous Italian fashion brand had filed suit against a Mr. Ishtiaq Hussain whose business operated under the name Duccio.

The international brand name argued to the courts that the Duccio brand name was too close to the Gucci name and would confuse customers across the globe by its appearance and title. Hussain, who sells mostly sandals and jock-straps, with his partner Mohan Handa, is now able to patent his brand name in the wake of the court’s approval.

Originally, Gucci had filed claim stating that Duccio was too closely related to international brand name of Gucci, however, the High Courts found that there was no likelihood of confusion and ordered Gucci to pay  £1,350 to Hussain for legal fees and damages.

Mark Bryant, the residing judge, announced that he found no evidence that the Duccio brand name would be confused with the Gucci products and that the two names did not share a close enough resemblance to cause confusion for the buyer.

Hussain is in a partnership with Mohan Handa who owns a leather shop based in Hockley. Together the two men manufacture fashion items for retail and brand them under the Duccio name. The two gentlemen are now free to patent their brand name and move forward with their products.

Hussain stated after the trail that he is happy to get back to work, and that Gucci was unable to knock them out was a success for small businesses. He added that they had to spend £50,000 in legal fees and that should he have lost his company would have been unable to continue financially.

Tags: Duccio, Duccio brand name beats Gucci, Gucci, Gucci High Court case, Gucci loses High Court case